The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has organised a sensitization programme for students across the Federation.

In Osun State, the event which held on Wednesday at the Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area, saw the engagement of the students as they were been sensitized on the importance of gender equality and equity.

Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu, the Assistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health , who doubled as the representative of the Director General as well as the State Coordinator, flagged off the sensitization after delivering the address of the Director General.

While delivering the address, Adamu pointed out the fact that every child, whether male or female, has the right to be taken care of by their parents. "Every child has every right to be educated and protected from all form of harassment. Being taken care of by our parents is not a privilege but the right of every child.

" Therefore, do not allow yourself to be abused nor discouraged from dreaming of a great future. Do not allow yourself to be enticed by monetary gifts. Learn to speak out if anyone harasses you" he admonished.

Adamu also enjoined the teachers present to always ask after the well being of the students. He urged them to be attentive to them and observe any changes any of them may exhibit in order to be able to reach out to them and help them.

Speaking earlier, Mr Aliyu Mohammed from the National Directorate Headquarters, NDHQ, reminded the group of the motto of the National Youth Service Corps which is Service and Humility. According to him, the Scheme renders quality and selfless service to the States and Communities across the Nation. This, he stated is one of the reasons the Director General approved the sensitization to reach out to the grassroot with the message of gender equality.

He urged the students to be attentive and adhere to all they will be taught in the course of the sensitization.

The NYSC Osun State Gender Desk Officer, and Zonal Inspector of Ikirun zone, Alhaja Kehinde Salawu, informed the house on the need for the message to be passed to schools and religious houses alike.

"It was discovered that some schools do not have a Guidance and Counseling Unit but that will be corrected soon", she said.

Pastor (Dr) Taiwo Adedeji in his goodwill address, reminded the participants on the purpose of the gathering which is to create awareness on the role of each gender in the home front and the society at large.

"Many a times, culture is the root cause of gender inequality. In some societies, women are expected to only function in the kitchen and as a baby making machine. They are to be seen and not heard; also some women die prematurely because of domestic violence.
" this is why gender equality sensitisation is very important in every society lest we end up with a dysfunctional society", he added.

Speaking also, the Baale Moboreje, Chief Abass Odukunle who was represented by Alhaji Jayeola Atanda, joined voice with other speakers at the event to harp for the need for a well balanced home front and society where there are no demarcations between the right of the Male and the female child.

"The women at the grassroot need to be informed. This message is going to be preached in the religious houses and broadcasted on the radio and television stations", he assured the gathering.

The Imam of the Lameco Central Mosque, Alhaji Adeyemi, expressed the need for parents to own up to their responsibility of raising goldly children. "Children deprived of parental love and care end up becoming a nuisance to the society. The future of the society is therefore in your hands", he said.

Corps member Godwin Tewase, from the Gender Vanguard Community Development Service Group, delivered a talk on relationships. He defined it as the interaction and connection between people.

"Our connection to people is not supposed to be on the same level, rather, it is suppose to be in circles. The circle involving close blood relationship should be held closer than that of the circles involving others. Hence, there should be boundaries in every relationship outside the family", he emphasised.

The sensitisation ended with an interactive session of questions and answers from the students. The school authority lauded the Scheme for deeming it fit to bring such an enlightening programme to the school and assured of their commitment to the emotional and psychological well-being of the students.