FCE Abeokuta Don and NGOs rally students to break the culture of silence

The Head of Theater Arts Department, Federal College of Education Abeokuta, Dr Adeniyi Adekunle Oluwadamilare, together with some non-governmental organisations, has called on students to break the culture of silence and speak openly about the challenges threatening their future.

The appeal was made during an awareness program called Ajose Campus Acoustic Session, organized by the Gender Development Initiative in collaboration with the institution’s Theater Arts Department.

The initiative aimed to encourage students to openly discuss issues affecting their well-being, particularly peer pressure, abuse and reproductive health concerns.

Speaking at the event, Oluwadamilare warned that many young people fall into social vices because they often keep their struggles to themselves instead of seeking guidance from responsible adults.

According to him, the influence of the Internet, technological exposure and societal expectations often push students into negative behaviors when they lack adequate counseling and support.

He noted that many students in tertiary institutions are adolescents who have left their homes and are no longer under the direct supervision of their parents, making them vulnerable to harmful influences.

“Many students are no longer under the direct supervision of their parents. When they face challenges, some are ashamed to speak out and end up confiding in the wrong people who might deceive them,” he said.

The professor added that students who encounter problems such as unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction and other social vices often hide their challenges out of fear or embarrassment.

He pointed out that initiatives such as the Ajose Campus Acoustic Session provide orientation and reorientation to students, helping them realize that solutions can only come when problems are shared.

“Students should not die in silence. When a challenge arises, speak up because solutions can only come when the problem is shared,” he added.

Furthermore, an advisor to the Gender Development Initiative, Damilola Femi Sodiya, said the program was designed as an educational entertainment platform to enable young people to speak out whenever they encounter abuse or injustice.

Sodiya said the initiative works with schools to educate students, especially women and girls, about their sexual and reproductive health rights and how to protect themselves from exploitation.

She said the project, supported by partners including RAES and Pamoja, also promotes collective responsibility among students to raise awareness and support peers facing difficult situations.

“For society at large, we need to stop the culture of silence. When you see something, say something. Silence can destroy lives,” Sodiya said.

During the program, students performed drama, poetry and dance performances that depicted real-life experiences of abuse, gender violence and social pressures faced by young people on campuses.

The performances highlighted cases where women are often exploited or subjected to sexual harassment, while facilitators also educated participants on how to respond and seek help.

The interactive session with the students was also attended by representatives of the Gender Development Initiative, including Miss Aina Omolola Olumide, along with facilitators such as Mr. Olufemi Olusola Taiwo.

Organizers expressed optimism that the initiative will encourage students to make informed decisions, seek help when needed and contribute to building a safer and healthier campus environment.

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