Worried by teenage exposure to immorality and social vices, Topdeal College, Ikorodu, Lagos, has organised a seminar to equip teenagers with moral, academic, and spiritual guidance to navigate the challenges of adolescence.
The seminar, with the theme, “The Dark Triad,” featured speeches educating teenagers about relationships and healthy peer interactions.
Speaking at the event, the Principal of Topdeal College, Oladeji Akinola, emphasized the collective responsibility of parents, schools, and religious institutions in raising morally sound children.
“The business of raising the next generation is not a one-man business. Parents and guardians must monitor their kids at school, track their phone usage, and regulate their access to social media to prevent misuse. Institutions, including the church, should also introduce sex education to guide children properly,” Akinola said.
He stressed the increasing rate of sexual abuse among young girls, warning that teenagers face significant societal pressures.
“In society today, as we see in the news, young girls aged 13 to 16 are being molested at alarming rates. Many teenagers are going astray. This event is our way of ensuring that students who pass through Topdeal College are well-equipped before they transition into the larger society,” Akinola said.
Akinola reaffirmed that Topdeal College remains committed to shaping well-rounded students who can confidently face life beyond secondary school.
“The university years are brief—five or six years at most. If we prepare them well from their teenage years, they will be able to avoid distractions and make the most of their education with the help of God,” he added.
One of the keynote speakers at the event, Arinola Fadiji, a former student of the college and now a youth mentor, highlighted the importance of educating teenagers about relationships and healthy peer interactions.
“I am here to tutor the students on the challenges they are likely to face if they engage in relationships too early. However, I also believe that if you simply tell kids not to be in a relationship, they won’t listen. So, I advocate for healthy and competitive relationships—such as academic partnerships where they can have study buddies and help each other grow,” Fadiji said.
Fadiji also urged parents and teachers to foster open communication with teenagers.
“Parents, teachers, and guardians must develop friendly relationships with young people. When teenagers feel comfortable talking to adults, they are more likely to seek guidance on navigating relationships and making the right choices,” he added.