Arms network: Foundation
partners on children’s education
By Uji Abdullahi
Iliyasu
Abuja
The first vice president,
West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Mr Dickson Orji, Wednesday
stressed the need to educate children on problems associated with small arms.
West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Mr Dickson Orji, Wednesday
stressed the need to educate children on problems associated with small arms.
Orji said this in
Abuja at a speak-out session organised by WAANSA in partnership with Adinya
Arise Foundation for secondary school girls, as part of activities for the
16-days activism against gender-based violence.
Abuja at a speak-out session organised by WAANSA in partnership with Adinya
Arise Foundation for secondary school girls, as part of activities for the
16-days activism against gender-based violence.
The 2019 global
theme is: Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”.
theme is: Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”.
Orji says to put a
stop to this menace, there is need for awareness and engagements with young
people at different level.
stop to this menace, there is need for awareness and engagements with young
people at different level.
“It is in this
wise that WAANSA is partnering with the Adinya Arise foundation to engage young
people to speak out on the theme of the 16 days of activism to share knowledge.
wise that WAANSA is partnering with the Adinya Arise foundation to engage young
people to speak out on the theme of the 16 days of activism to share knowledge.
“We are here today
because we are starting a 16 days event to bring to the front burner the issues
of gun based gender violence,’’ he said.
because we are starting a 16 days event to bring to the front burner the issues
of gun based gender violence,’’ he said.
Orji said that it
was easier to prepare the youths to understand their issues than to repair an
adult, adding that some adult are already lost cases.
was easier to prepare the youths to understand their issues than to repair an
adult, adding that some adult are already lost cases.
He said that the
level of cultism in both primary and secondary schools was alarming, and that
tertiary institutions are now a place where guns flow freely.
level of cultism in both primary and secondary schools was alarming, and that
tertiary institutions are now a place where guns flow freely.
“So we need to
begin to teach these young ones properly now that guns do not and will not
solve any problem, instead guns will only endanger them the more.
begin to teach these young ones properly now that guns do not and will not
solve any problem, instead guns will only endanger them the more.
“If they grow up
with this understanding, then the tendency for them not to carry guns will be
higher,’’ he said.
with this understanding, then the tendency for them not to carry guns will be
higher,’’ he said.
Orji said that
over the years, issues of gender violence was often referred to women, forgetting
that the issue of violence cuts across both sexes.
over the years, issues of gender violence was often referred to women, forgetting
that the issue of violence cuts across both sexes.
“We are keen to
bring this matter to national discuss, so that issues related to gender based
violence will be addressed at the highest level.’’
bring this matter to national discuss, so that issues related to gender based
violence will be addressed at the highest level.’’
Commander Abimbola
Ayuba (rtd), said all hands must be on deck to addressed the problems of small
arms, adding that it required actions at the level of the United Nations,
regional and ECOWAS level.
Ayuba (rtd), said all hands must be on deck to addressed the problems of small
arms, adding that it required actions at the level of the United Nations,
regional and ECOWAS level.
He said
sensitising people on the ills of small arms and also finding ways and means of
making sure illicit arms are not bought was of importance.
sensitising people on the ills of small arms and also finding ways and means of
making sure illicit arms are not bought was of importance.
Executive
Director, Adinya Arise Foundation, Mabel Ade, said young people should
understand the issues on gender base violence so that they would act on it.
Director, Adinya Arise Foundation, Mabel Ade, said young people should
understand the issues on gender base violence so that they would act on it.
“We are doing this
speak-out in schools so that we can begin to get young people to develop their
ability to analyse issues, talk about it and have a voice.
speak-out in schools so that we can begin to get young people to develop their
ability to analyse issues, talk about it and have a voice.
“As adults we have
spoken, no meaningful action is being taken. Let children act tomorrow, they
will have the platform to lead this country and if we start building their
capacity from this stage, when they grow up, they will only apply what they
have been taught,’’ she said.
spoken, no meaningful action is being taken. Let children act tomorrow, they
will have the platform to lead this country and if we start building their
capacity from this stage, when they grow up, they will only apply what they
have been taught,’’ she said.
Ade also advised
parents against buying guns for their children as toys, adding that it add no
value to a child’s upbringing.
parents against buying guns for their children as toys, adding that it add no
value to a child’s upbringing.
Some participating
students were presented with gifts with a call to denounce gender violence.
students were presented with gifts with a call to denounce gender violence.