HAPSTA TAKES ANTI-SUPERSTITION EDUCATION TO SCHOOLS IN OMUOOKE/KOTA, EKITI

On Tuesday 10th of June 2014, Humanists Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) in her effort to advocate for a truly peaceful and social tolerant society has taken science, anti-superstition and social tolerant education to three (3) schools in Omuooke/Kota Ekiti, under the auspices of Humanist and Science Education Programme (HASTEP). 

Among the schools visited for the eventful training were Isedo Comprehensive High School, with about (46) students; Glory Idea College with (27) students and Community Grammar School with (36) students all in Omuooke/Kota Ekiti. Also involved in the training were some of the schools teachers namely; Mr. S. Ajiboye; Mr. Taiwo Wasiu and Mr. Olorunsogbon Femi who are school representatives for the training.

The training which was targeted only at the school prefects (the newly appointed ones), bearing in mind that they are part of the school leadership/authority has as its theme: Good Leadership and Peaceful School Environment essentially emphasized the essence of good leadership for a peaceful and tolerant school environment and society at large.

In his opening remark, Noah Balogun held that the training is to enable the trainees to know, imbibe and put to use the attributes of good leadership, noting that it is the prerequisite for a peaceful school environment and the societies at large. He then took the students through the definitional analysis of leadership; the qualities of good leadership and the virtue of putting the lessons learnt to use in their days to day running of the leadership positions they occupy. On the other hand, Seun Joseph gave his account on peace and culture of peace and its requisite ….. in our schools environment and the country at large. By means of expatiation, he highlighted the reasons for violence and war in our school environment and society at large, and dwelled on how culture of peace can be entrenched and cultivated.

Towards the tail end of the training workshop, crested T-shirts were distributed to participants. On the T-shirt is written the HAPSTA dictum that reads thus: DON’T DISCRIMINATE: All Different, All Equal. Protect my Rights, and Ask Questions, Be Critical …..This is to make the impression long lasting on the minds of the participants.

Also, photographs were taken so as to make the occasion a memorable one. HASTEP Team met with the school authorities/students, took pictures with them and pledged to continue to partner with the schools in ensuring that the students are better leaders. In rounding up the talk, the team leaders, Noah Balogun and Sanmi Adeyanju said that the training is in stages and the final stage would be held in August to commemorate the year’s World Youth Day, later in 2014.

---Noah, Seun, Ope and Samuel, for HAPSTA-OHAWK