Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has pledged a sweeping crackdown on child molestation and bullying, vowing to institutionalize policies that ensure safer schools and unlock the potential of every child. The declaration came during a vibrant 2025 Children’s Day celebration at the Ekitiparapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, themed “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”
The event blended advocacy with celebration, featuring march-past competitions, cultural dances, and anti-bullying debates. Command Secondary School, Isan Ekiti, emerged first in the march-past, followed by Mary Immaculate Grammar School and Harden Model College, Ado-Ekiti. Top debaters received cash prizes, while trophies were awarded to outstanding schools, symbolizing the state’s commitment to nurturing talent.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, announced a “zero-tolerance” stance on child abuse, emphasizing frameworks to protect minors. “Children raised in environments of love and empathy will not become aggressors,” he stated, condemning all forms of bullying—physical, verbal, emotional, or cyber. He urged students to report abuse without fear of retaliation.
Highlighting education as a cornerstone, the Governor outlined initiatives like free schooling, teacher recruitment, ICT lab upgrades, and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). He credited improved WAEC/NECO rankings to programs like the First Lady’s “Back to School” project, which provides free uniforms and mentorship.
Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, reported success in state-wide symposia across Ekiti’s three senatorial districts, where students spearheaded anti-bullying dialogues. “These youth-led campaigns prove our children are ready to lead change,” she said.
Olori Bosede Adejugbe, wife of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, urged parents to foster empathy at home, while Education Commissioner Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye and SUBEB Chairman Prof Femi Akinwumi called for urgent action against molestation, citing alarming data that over 70% of Nigerian children face abuse.
Miss Nancy Daramola, representing the Ekiti State Children Parliament, rallied peers: “Stand up, speak up against oppression! Bullying must end here.”
The event closed with cultural displays and book distributions, underscoring the state’s holistic approach. Governor Oyebanji saluted teachers and parents for shaping “resilient future leaders,” pledging that under his watch, Ekiti’s children would thrive free from fear.
