LASG Urges Parents, Teachers to Create “Safe Spaces” for Adolescents Amid Rising Abuse Cases

The Lagos State Government through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, has urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to create safe spaces for adolescents to speak freely and seek help when needed, advising adolescents to always report cases of abuse.

He issued a stern warning against the increasing rates of drug abuse, sexual violence, and other social vices among young people, which accentuate the need for renewed attention to adolescent health and development.

Ogboye gave the warning while addressing teenagers during the Adolescents and Youth Health Outreach held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, organized to commemorate the Year 2025 International Adolescent Health Week themed “Thriving Inside and Out: Strengthening Adolescent Physical and Mental Health.”

He called on all stakeholders to prioritize the wellbeing of adolescents and emphasized that true health goes beyond the absence of disease, describing the event as an important platform to empower young people with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions that would positively shape their future.

Highlighting that “true health is holistic,” Ogboye stressed the need for a balance between physical and mental wellbeing, adding, “A physically healthy young person struggling silently with depression is not thriving, neither is a confident adolescent whose body suffers from neglect or poor nutrition”.

In her remarks, the Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Folashade Oludara, reiterated the Ogboye’s points, adding that through education, mentorship, and positive behavior, adolescents could rise above challenges to become responsible and successful adults, making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Also speaking, the Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Esther Somefun, lauded the state government for its continued partnership with development organizations to improve adolescent and youth health, adding “UNFPA’s mission is to ensure every adolescent reaches their full potential by having access to accurate information, healthcare, and supportive environments. When you are healthy in body and mind, you can confidently pursue your dreams and contribute meaningfully to your society”.