Commemorative Colloquium: Opening Remark

Dear One! When many argue about whether the President went to high school or not, I wonder why. Perhaps rat ate the files and the Principal at his time was not as proactive as outs who spearheaded the publishing of One and Half Decades of FGC Odogbolu. From that book, and other sources, we were able to compile the Class List for the outstanding group branded today as FGCO 8490. When I reach members of the FGCO 8490, it is foremost to celebrate life and living... We spent 1-6 years together in FGCO and that counts for family and/or familiarity. The slogan “mates, senior mates and junior mates” was derived from the disparity in age, when we resumed or when we left, yet life classed us together in one season for a reason. I joined the set in January 1985, the very day Mr. Tunde Adefolaju joined the school. Many in our set, other sets or other schools may not be where you mapped out for you - you may be ahead or approaching, but you are definitely not stunted in the bridge self you were as many packed portmanteaus to leave Odogbolu this week, many years ago. For this, I give God thanks and I celebrate with you 30 years of becoming. We are in an extraordinary season when many are unsure of surviving, I only by the grace and glory of God survived till now, hence for me every milestone is worthy of being celebrated. I welcome you to this Special Edition of Inspire to Excel in commemoration of the day I formally left Odogbolu. This colloquium, like other physical career conferences we have held in FGCO is an initiative of Cares Global Network. This commemoration was planned by Participants in the Excel Leadership Academy Mentoring Programme. A number of them recently became ex-students of FGCO. It has been a pleasure working with them since June 2020 to grow them as excellent leaders. Beyond the colloquium, I encourage us to make today Saturday November 14, a day to reach out to FGCO 8490 set members to celebrate them. You can post your messages to the flyer for this programme on the alumni or set Facebook page. While few have left this side of life, many continue to make strides and contribute to local and global development in different spheres as leaders, educators, consultants, professionals and entrepreneurs. Life and living are two things that can be celebrated on this side of the divide. I pray God will keep us for many more years in good health, great peace and grand achievements... I celebrate with other set members and I specially welcome those who have joined us. Ages, level of education and social class vary but one unifying factor is that at one time or the other all participants here today belonged to the tribe of secondary school students. To this population, the theme of UNITY is important especially at a time like this. We are elated to have the blessing and the participation of the President, FGCOOSA - Mr. Vincent Abulu. Participating in this special colloquium in various roles are members of the FGCOOSA, members of the Pro Unitate Groups and others. The theme of UNITY is common to all especially those who attended unity schools, where we were groomed to recognise one tribe - the tribe of students. Isokan (Unity), Anoko Onu (Togetherness) and Zaman Tare (One Tribe) is what we are called into to ensure the world serves peace and progress in our sides of the globe. This well thought out programme is to celebrate UNITY as One Tribe. The emcee Osiebugie Okhuemoi was my school son. I am not surprised that he towed my line in the area of career and calling as a leader; I believe he is the President for his set. The Panel includes a Representative of the oldest (1977) who retired as a director as well as the youngest set (1999) in FGCO. My school father and closest pals in FGCO are also here with us. This exemplifies the importance of Family Life to the discourse of Unity. Should this be a successful programme, it is my hope that we can collaborate with FGCOOSA to host this annually. I also hope that this would spur you as an individual or set rep to think of how to give back to your school, contribute to national narratives and foster oneness wherever life leads. It took one person in 2007 to bring together members of the 1990 set, it took one idea to bring all of us together on this platform, it could take you to do the same for your school, your nation or the world. I share with you my class list and pages from my set’s 20th year anniversary especially my speech and the president’s speech. Feel free to read at your convenience. My name is Dr. Omolola Omoteso FAMUYIWA. I belong to to the New Tribe of Nigerians who are set to change the world with unity of purpose. On this note, I welcome you all, as I look forward to the progressive moderation by the emcee, messages by our special guests, well rounded deliveries by our esteemed panelist and of course your Pen Point Stories and wide range of well researched music from Way back during the After Party! God bless Nigeria, God bless FGCO AND God bless YOU! Dr. Omolola Omoteso FGCO 1985-1990

Risk Factors of Rape and Importance of Sex Education.

Rape is sexual assault that affects all the core areas if the victim. It is damaging because it is a violation of mind and body in one of the most cruel forms of control and subjugation. The word rape is used when no express consent was given and the sexual act is carried out by physical force, subtle or obvious coercion, abuse of authority, manipulation, drug or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such aage of consents one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has intellectual disability or is below the age of consent. Sadly the government of Nigeria is confused as the age of consent to have sex is different from the age of adulthood. To make matters worse, any child who is married - regardless or circumstances aurrounding such attrocity us considered as being of full age under Nigerian Law. An entrepreneur who I invited to participate and bring his son on board for the Book Launch of CSA-WITB later today returned to say himself and his wide decided they dis not want to expose their children to the content of the book. Why? Many parents hide from exposing or educating their children about sex and sexuality. From experience, it is better you sanely inform, educate and enlighten children than let the system insanely educate them. Middle school curriculum in America now includes LGBTQ etc. What are the advantages of sexuality education 1. Healthy Gender Identity There will be no confusion. My brother was very close to my mum and admired her greatly. If he had not been taught about sexuality, he would have grown up with a warped sense that God made a mistake in his gender assignment. I know someone who was very feminine is how he walked and talked while we were in school, he is today ana ctor, married and blessed. The child will understand what sex is based on divinely assigned genitals and accept gender rather than turn gender to a case of feelings 2. Body Positivity Children will feel more comfortable and positive about their body and gender especially if you prove to be reliable and honest with no shaming. Please do not call penis toto or buttocks buddy. The language you use would determine how comfortable they would be about talking about the subject f sex and sexuality. Learn body parts and what is appropriate and inappropriate with regards to body parts that is private and what is public. Information empowers children 3. Prevent Misinformation By directly teaching children in your area of influence, you can share authentic and reliable information assuming your own knowledge is appropriate and adequate. It is important not to mislead or misdirect children. 4. Good Communication A child you are comfortable speaking about sexuality to is a child who will be comfortable comign to you with sexuality questions. Sex education fosetrs open communictaion between parent and child. 5. Better Understanding Many adult males have no idea how the female body works, they have no clue that during periods a woman’s hormones flare up and she may become irritable. Some get married and start using flashlight to look for children. By communicating with a child, you sieve the wheat from the chaff and correct any misinformation they may have gathered from other sources. Speaking to a child helps the child understand different types of changes. 6. Set boundaries Talking about sex and sexuality will help your child know, set and acknowledge boundaries and delay intercourse regardless of gender. a male child who has not been taught could lose it when erect. Whereas one who is taught would know to control libido and be disciplined enough to ask at every point if the female is ready for sexual intercourse. 7. Recognise and Accept of change Many girls cry when they first see their period. They cry, they hide, all because no one informed them to expect this change that will rmain with them for about 40 years. Some boys experience erection and think something is wrong; some train their minds to refuse erection or otherwise, both spectrums may have damaging effects in adut life. Speaking to a child helps the child recognise and accept physical and emotional changes. 8. Teach Skills Parents can teach skills especially assertiveness skills via sex and sexuality education. Your child is more likely to report inappropriate sexual touch when he or she is sexually aware. This will lead such children to be confident speaking about abuse. This will ensure children are safer and less liekly to be exploited by sexual predators 9. Informed Value Based Sexual Decisions Children who are informed are able to make informed and sensible sexual decisions now and later. We must understand that sharing information is not express permission to have sex. Informed children are guided and guarded by values. Once children are in teenage years, in as much as our preference is for them to wai till marriage, we must teach them how to protect themselves. It is better that their stupidity does not earn you the award of parents to their children at a time when they are still being parented by you! 10. Delay Sexual Activity Children with knowledge of sex and sexuality are more likely to delay sex till they are ready for the responsibility rather than see it as a pathway for emotinal, unguarded act. When they make that decision eventually, they wold look forward to enjoying it and actally would rather than find it nausueating. Many laws across cultures make reference to rape only in context of women being victims but this often excludes those who have intimate relationship. The psychological trauma of rape is reason laws must protect all concerned. This includes depression, fear, anxiety, shock, suicide, disordered sleeping, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, psychosis, attention deficit disorder etc. Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015. VAPP, which is in effect in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria, extends the meaning of rape. I urge you to read it. The provision of VAPPA is broad and fills lacuna in Criminal and Penal Code. VAPPA provides for compensation and therapeutic care for victims. It states imprisonment for offenders. Unfortunately only few states have domesticated the Act. The issue of rape has been a legal quagmire in Nigeria, as the law previously did not recognise that a man can be raped. Rape is a criminal offence under the Nigerian Law. Unfortunately, dominance of Christianity, Islam and Traditional religions in Nigeria has made legal reforms on rape challenging. 1t takes more that deposit and withdrawal to run a sex account! Any form of molestation, assault, harassment or battery in a bid to force anyone to consent to sex is a criminal offence. Sex should come from the point of human and humane intimacy not bestiality. Tis conversation continues as my team and I will at 7PM present our book - Child Sexual Abuse: Who is to blame to the public. I invite you all to join us. The year is 2020 and I just added my voice to a future that delivers equity to girl. I urge you to do the same. I thank the organisers for counting me worthy of an invitation and I thank you all for listening.

Cheerful Celebration ~ PFO

A couple of our folks earned the ‘tomboy’title but only one person I knew wore it with a bounce. Not that she ever wanted to be a man; she was fashioned with qualities even men stop to admire. Little wonder she was woman enough to step into the shoes her father left behind; providing cover for her Mum, siblings and ultimately her children.

For those who ever wondered what manner of woman this Amazon would be, simply click.

Her cheerful smile lights up the darkest room. She is friendly, forthright and firm. I was intrigued by her dedication and diligence so much so that I learned to properly pronounce the name Premoboere Ojokojo.

Dear friends, join me in celebrating this courageous jewel of inestimable value...

Premoboere Francine Ojokojo may the light that shines through your eyes and smiles never grow dim.