What is bullying?
Wikipedia states that Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. Bullying is the activity of repeated, aggressive behavior intended to hurt another individual, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
A bully is therefore anyone who use force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate another.
Bullying comes in so many other forms. Not only amongst students. Teachers also bully students.
Some days ago, someone shared a post on a WhatsApp Group. The post was the story of of a 12 years old boy, Sylvester Oromoni, who was bullied and tortured by some senior students in Dowen College. Sylvester eventually died. He was beaten and "locked up in a wardrobe for 2 days". He was forced to ingest a liquid substance. His lips were swollen and "cracked". The child was in severe pains. His parents were called to come "take their child for treatment outside". The school management told the parents that their son had a fall while playing football!
The whole story is so SAD! I saw some disturbing images relating to the horrible story. How can the parents be consoled? How?! The stories on this ugly event got me worried. The denial by the school management was very lame and repulsive!
That school, Dowen College is one of the so called "top school" in Nigeria.
The welcome message on the school website read thus:
"At Dowen College Lagos, the students are our focus. Everything we do is centered on our students. Our desire is to produce balanced global leaders. Every decision made seeks to enhance the value added to the life of each student at Dowen College Lagos because we believe in the total development of the students morally, mentally and physically. Our way of life is encompassed in what we term “the A B C D of Dowen College."
If the students are truly the focus of the school as stated above, how did the Management not know? How can the teachers be blinded to the tortures students face in hostels?! Where was the House master when the boy was being beaten?
How can the school ever desire to produce "balanced global leaders" when they cover up for the wrong acts perpetrated within the walls of the school?
What value was added to the life of the deceased student when the school decided to hide the truth from the parents when the parents were told that their child sustained the injury during a football game?
Sylvester Oromoni was tortured and eventually died as a result of the gruesome torture by some senior students in Dowen College, Lekki Lagos. News have it that the suspects have been flown out of the Country by their parents. . . The Law of Karma is not a respecter of jurisdiction. Wherever they are, justice will prevail.
Sylvester's death is one too many!
Parents, these bullies are from homes. Whether the child is a bully or not, it ALL STARTS FROM THE HOME. Let us train our children well. Don't encourage wrong acts in any form. Live by example. Talk to your children. Listen to your children. Teach your children good morals.
#JusticeforSylvesterOromoni
#SayNOtoBullying
#ChildrenSpeakOut
