School competitions can curb drug abuse, alcoholism among youths, says Edu Supervisor Doherty

Supervisor for Education, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Mrs. Bimpe Doherty has expressed her optimism in the possibility of curbing drug abuse and alcoholism among schoolchildren in Nigeria.

Doherty, speaking during the fifth edition of the Hands & Minds Schools competition at David Christian Centre in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos, stated that the youths in basic and secondary schools in the country are so full of energy that they are eagerly looking for ways to fully express themselves.

She said the youths are often forced to go into substance abuse when they are not presented with platforms that allow them showcase their talent, and has therefore called for more intra- and inter-schools competitions.

“These children, they are full of energy. They want to be high, they want to belong, that’s why they do drugs and alcohol and even join cults. But they don’t need all that, they can just channel that energy into school competitions like this and be high and happy when they win,” said Doherty.

“This type of event is something that every stakeholder should be involved in, to help our children to be able to express themselves in diverse ways because education is beyond the classroom. So we need more of this to happen in our society.

“Amuwo-Odofin local government is already drawing up plans to create more of this kind of competition among schools, and it is going to come through my office. We are already doing some of it, only that we will now make it happen in a broader way to have more impact in society.”

The education supervisor also called for a more advanced partnership between the public and private sectors in delivering quality education in Nigerian society, saying the government cannot do it all alone.

No fewer than 32 private and public schools participated in the event, themed: Beauty in Diversity, and sponsored by microfinance giant, Grooming Centre.

Representatives of 27 schools participated in dance, music and creative art competitions, with character and values coach, Uncle Sele; music educator, David Igbineweka, and Little Miss Rainbow beauty pageant founder, Preere Opuofoni, serving as judges.

Co-founders of Hands & Minds consult, Mr. Laurence Ekpe and Iziegbe Ekpe, who have been the chief organizers of the annual competition, shed more light on what they do at the consult, commenting on the growth of the competition overtime.

“From 2017 till last year, we only had private schools participating in the competitions, but this time, nine public schools joined the programme, and we hope that by the next edition we will see them compete even better,” said the Ekpes.

“At H&M Consult, we believe in holistic education. There are a lot of platforms that reward children for academic excellence, but there are children whose talents are not limited to the classrooms, they have the arts and creatives in them, yet there are not a lot of platforms for them to showcase or harness their talents. And that is why we are doing this.

“Despite all that is going on in the country right now, we wanted the children to see that there is beauty in diversity, and that we can all come together to make the nation work. We also thank the Grooming Center who has shown great support for this vision over the years.”

Meanwhile, St. Jude’s private school emerged as overall winners of the music competition in the senior category, followed by Cornerstone College in second place and the Brains Premier College as second runner-up, while Cedars-world Montessori primary school came first in the junior category.

In the dance and drama competition, Above All Schools clinched the top spot in the junior category with a superb choreographic performance while Goodness Schools won the senior category. In the creative arts competition, Peculiar Treasure Primary School bagged the top prize in the junior category, while St. Jude’s private school won the senior category.

Other schools that made a podium finish as well as a few others at the event include; Clemmy High School, Caleb International School, Christ the King primary school, Preserved Generation School, Pasture Gate Montessori school, Ostra Height school, among others.

The event was brought to a final close with a special dance performance by renowned dance group, the Leap of Dance Academy.

Also present at the event were dignitaries from the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government council: Coordinator, national youth Council, Comrade Esho Olakunle; the Senior Special Adviser to the local government Chairman on Youth and Sports, Toluwase Moyinoluwa; and the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Environment, Hon. Shodipo Saheed.