Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has called on children in the state to shun all forms of bullying and speak up when confronted with such acts, emphasizing the need for a supportive and safe environment that nurtures future leaders.
Speaking through his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the 2025 Children’s Day celebration held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the governor charged children to report bullying to teachers, parents, guardians or trusted adults.
The event, themed “Stand up, Speak up: Building a Bully-Free Generation,” was organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Governor Abiodun noted that bullying, whether verbal, physical or emotional, causes harm and must be openly discussed to end the trend.
“Children’s Day is set aside to honour the core values that children represent in our families, communities and the nation at large. Bullying should never be tolerated,” he said.
He further stated that his administration had instituted measures to curb bullying in schools and reiterated the government’s commitment to developing an education system that caters to the holistic growth of every child.
“The Ministries of Women Affairs and Education have been charged to intensify efforts through school policies, advocacy, legal enforcement and public education to eradicate bullying from our schools and communities.
“Government alone cannot do it; we need all hands on deck,” he said.
The governor also appealed to parents, religious leaders, traditional institutions, youth mentors and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government in raising confident and emotionally balanced children who would grow to become exemplary leaders.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, encouraged the children to be good ambassadors of their communities and the state, while praying for their continued academic success.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, also congratulated the children and urged them to uphold the anti-bullying values promoted by the government.
He reminded them that both state and federal policies exist to curb bullying in schools.
Earlier in her welcome address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to raising confident, intelligent and creative children, adding that through policy reforms and stakeholder engagement, bullying would be eradicated.
“No child in Ogun State will be left voiceless or vulnerable. Their energy must be redirected from destruction to development,” she said.
The event featured cultural performances, poetry recitations and other engaging activities, with children from various schools across the state in attendance.
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