In a joint effort to instill positive values and strengthen the fight against gender-based violence, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has inducted 300 secondary school students from Education District V into the prestigious Kings and Queens Club.
The induction ceremony, which took place earlier this week, is part of an ongoing initiative to promote respect, dignity, gender equality, and personal responsibility among young people in Lagos schools. The club, designed as a proactive approach to curbing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), aims to equip students with life skills that foster empathy, leadership, and healthy relationships.
According to the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Kings and Queens Club serves as a preventive platform that empowers students—both male and female—to become ambassadors of positive behavioural change within their schools and communities. She emphasized that beyond awareness, the programme encourages students to challenge harmful stereotypes, embrace inclusivity, and speak up against abuse.
Vivour-Adeniyi expressed gratitude to the Ford Foundation for its unwavering support in sustaining programmes that shape future generations and promote safer school environments across the state. She noted that the club, which now operates in various schools under the Ministry of Education’s oversight, continues to record impressive behavioural transformation among participating students.
During the event, selected students took a pledge of honour, promising to uphold the principles of the club by championing dignity, discipline, and mutual respect in their daily lives. They also participated in workshops and role-play sessions on conflict resolution, consent, peer support, and emotional intelligence.
The initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly in areas of education, youth development, and social welfare. By nurturing responsible young leaders and encouraging gender-sensitive behaviour, the Lagos State Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a safer, more inclusive society.
With this latest induction in District V, the number of students enrolled in the Kings and Queens Club has continued to grow, positioning the club as a strong vehicle for reshaping attitudes and reinforcing the culture of zero tolerance for violence in schools and communities across Lagos.