The first thing my relationship with my dear friend, brother and mentor, Olakunle SORIYAN has taught me is to beware of what everybody can do and what everybody can say. It is called the popular or common opinion.

He keeps saying, you are rewarded for your difference. Rarity is said to be the concept of value.

The foregoing mindset helps me to take another look at what is common or popular. I do not do this for the sake of it; I do it as a critical test of what to believe, accept, understand and promote as my opinion on all matters of life, minor and major. I also do this to keep refining and honing my ideology on all matters of life from family to enterprise and from nation building to international politics.

It is in this light that I have kept looking at the subject matter of SEX AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION and how we teach it in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria. How we teach also speaks to the contents of what we teach and the authority behind same.

First , teaching SEX AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION, formally and informally has become an all-commers affair. It seems what qualifies one to teach and lead discussion/advocacy in this area is an experience of sexual abuse either in childhood and adulthood. While this may be a strong points, because of what I call ‘the power of personal story,’ I most humbly and empathically submit that it is not enough, having experienced Child Sexual Abuse myself. What then is enough? Submission to tested healing program, proper training, undergirded by the wisdom to domesticate globally accepted principles to meet our local experiences and realities and tutelage.

Let me submit from vast experience, the issue of SEX AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION is very attractive and often generate public attention for good or for bad. It always has the back of SENSATIONALISM. Therefore it is a subject matter that many are easily fascinated with and often think they must express an opinion.

Yet, we must understand that this subject matter is very SIMPLE, yet SENSITIVE. It means to maintain its SIMPLICITY, it’s SENTIVITY must be deliberately and carefully preserved in its dissemination.

When we don’t embrace it’s SIMPLICITY, we present a complicated module of teachings, like everyone unwholesome contents, it breeds nothing but fear and PARANOIA in the psyche of the recipient, young and old.

When it’s SIMPLICITY but it is not mixed with its prerequisite SENSITIVITY, people become more emotionally wounded instead of being led on the path of healing.

The understanding and embracing the SIMPLICITY of this subject matter in disseminating same delivers freedom to the recipient young and old. SENSITIVITY removes SHAME and STIGMA and brings accelerated healing.

Yet combining SIMPLICITY and SENSITIVITY in dissemination of this subject matter is an attribute I have not found in many, claiming to be teaching or leading advocacy in SEX AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION.

I will shed more light as I continue this conversation another day.

It is however important to note that I will shed light on the this subject matter first at our WOW(Women Working) with Children, holding on June 8, 2019.
This program is FREE but REGISTRATION is Compulsory… Please register here https://forms.gle/nHnPi6AS9XrH8bLJ9  or follow the information on the handbill. See you in class and do have an INSPIRED week.

Thank you and do have an INSPIRED day.

Yours IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PRECIOUS AFRICAN CHILD,

Taiwo AKINLAMI
The Preacher