Bullying: We must help victims to speak up --- YALI, others

By Our correspondent

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Ondo state Hub has called on schools and institutions in Ondo state to put up proper mechanisms to help victims of bullying speak up against the menace.

The Coordinator of the Hub, Saheed Ibrahim made this known while sensitizing students of St Matthias Anglican High School, Akure on Friday. 

He said bullies become stronger when nobody challenged them.

Ibrahim stated that early disclosure, standing up to bullies and speaking up would help curb the menace in schools as well as in organisations, where bullying occurs.

He, therefore, admonished schools to develop proper disclosure structures for their students to promptly report bullying, when it raises its ugly head. 

“Schools can have an anti-bullying suggestion box that we are donating to this school today and bullies should not be let go easily. They must be made to face the consequences. 

“Bullying can lead to psychological trauma, low performance, injuries, unproductivity, depression and even suicide or death. So, it should be discouraged at all levels.

He called for more sensitization in schools, institutions and the society at large. 

The Team Lead, Logistics and Planning, Ggbenga Fawehinmi Foundation, Mr. Oluwatosin Olajide said keeping quiet when bullied would make the bullies stronger and this would make the nefarious act to continue.

He stressed that speaking up against bullying would help the victims get justice and the bullies would be adequately punished. 

In his own contribution, the Director, Endbullying organization, Mr. Oluwatosin Ogundeyi advocated for laws, with strict implementation, to curb the menace in schools and the society at large.

“It is becoming rampant and if we do not act or take any step, it will eventually become a pandemic and this is why we are coming out to talk to students and also sensitise the public on the evils in bullying. Creating an environment where bullying is discouraged will go a long way to curb the menace”, he said.

Speaking for Plogging Nigeria Club, Mr. Oladapo Samuel also admonished victims of bullying to speak up because failure to do so may affect their ability to concentrate, their emotions and productivity 

Higher education notes and ‘say no to bully box’ were donated to students of St Matthias Anglican High School, Akure before the team went into the capital city, Akure, to create awareness on the need to speak up against bullying.

Newsline NG however gathered that YALI Ondo Network, in collaboration with YALI RLC Alumni Nigeria South West Region, was supported by Gbenga Fawehinmi Foundation, Plogging Nigeria Club and Endbullying.org  to sensitise students and residents of Ondo state, as part of activities lined up to commemorate the International Stand Up to Bullying Day 2022