• Itsekiri NextGen Project: 2023 Session 15 Report – Community Dangers
• Date: Saturday, 13th May 2023
• Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
• Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Total Attendees: 54
• Volunteers Present: 6
• Main Topic: Identifying Dangers in Our Community
• Resource Person: Itsekiri NextGen team

Summary:

During the 15th session of the Itsekiri NextGen Project, the focus was on discussing the prevalent dangers in our community, affecting both young and old residents. The session aimed to raise awareness and empower the participants to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Session Delivery:

Despite facing heavy rainfall, the volunteers and some participants demonstrated their commitment to the project by attending the session. The event started a few minutes late, allowing all expected participants to join.

The session commenced with a participant leading the opening prayer, followed by singing the Itsekiri anthem under the guidance of the coordinator. Due to the unavailability of the scheduled facilitator, Emmanuel Fregene, who was unwell, the coordinator took the lead in introducing the day’s content.

A unique approach was adopted for this session, as videos were the primary medium of communication. The coordinator and volunteers explained the content of the videos at regular intervals to ensure understanding. The videos highlighted the potential dangers young individuals face when venturing out without informing their parents or guardians, as well as the risks of accepting gifts from strangers.

Throughout the session, five different videos were shown, and the participants attentively watched each one. After each video, the participants were encouraged to express their insights and understanding of the depicted scenarios.

Towards the end of the session, two female participants approached the coordinator and disclosed their encounter with a neighbourhood scavenger who tried to lure them with money. The coordinator advised them on immediate actions they could take, such as informing their parents, aunties, and uncles about the situation. Additionally, they were advised to scream for help and run away, as demonstrated in the videos, to avoid potential abduction, rape, or exploitation for rituals.

Volunteers:

The following volunteers contributed to the success of the session:

1. Debi Amadedon
2. Emmanuel Egbe
3. Jolomi Tedeye
4. Weyinmi Igbineweka
5. Eworitsemogha Wyse
6. Omatsola Okpeayeghan

Challenges Faced:

The session experienced a minor delay due to a virus-infected system, causing a temporary disruption in the presentation of the videos. However, the issue was promptly resolved to ensure the smooth continuation of the session.

Conclusion:

The 15th session of the Itsekiri NextGen Project proved to be informative and eye-opening, as the videos showcased the potential dangers in the community. The engagement of participants and their willingness to discuss their experiences demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in raising awareness and promoting safety in the community.