“Big mummy”, that’s what she calls me. “I want to study nursing, but I just don’t know how I’ll ever afford it. The money isn’t enough. I feel stuck, like my dream will slip away because of lack.”

I paused mid-stir. Her words pulled something up inside me.

Because I’ve lived nights like this, nights when it seemed like the world had closed in.

I remember the various negative and unpleasant experiences I’ve had that made me question everything. I remember working but not having enough for further studies. I remember doubting whether I’d ever feel confident again, whether I’d ever have the chance to rise above.

That I would always be limited by burdens bigger than my age.

But something inside me resisted.

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Hope. A whisper. A stubborn pulse that said, despite the losses, despite the lack, maybe there’s more.

So, I did what I could, I held her hands and looked at her, kneading courage into my voice.

Your dreams live in more than what your wallet can hold.

“I know it hurts that the money isn’t enough,” I said. “I know what it is to feel powerless. But listen: lack of funds, it doesn’t have to be the thing that defines you.”

I told her about nights when I thought my future was lost, about watching others with more resources move ahead. About feeling invisible in their shadows. But also about the quiet mornings that followed those nights: mornings when someone believed in me, mornings when a small opportunity showed up, mornings when I discovered reserves in myself I didn’t know I had.

I told her that just because something has been hard doesn’t mean it will be forever. It’s holding the thought that it can return, even when all you see is shadows.

It’s reminding your heart that funds may be scarce, but they aren’t your value. Your dreams live in more than what your wallet can hold.

Because I believe, deep down, that morning always comes. Not the way we expect. Not with fireworks. Sometimes slow. Always sure.

So if you’re standing here, feeling like your dreams are slipping away, don’t let that weight lie to you:

Don’t let your heart say “I’ll never be able to study.”

Don’t let it believe the lack now means defeat always.

Keep planning. Keep saving and asking. Keep leaning on people who believe you. Keep learning in small ways. Keep faith in the quiet that you CAN do this.

Because life can be beautiful again. Because hope, kept alive cannot be snuffed out.

So, keep your dream alive. Let it be your fuel, not a complaint.

The post EXTRA: Life can be beautiful again, By Abike Akintuyi Awojobi appeared first on Frontpageng.

The campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations under Hon. Gbenga Oyerinde, is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritizes the safety and well-being of Lagosians across all spheres of life.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the programme held at Senior Comprehensive High School, Alapere, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Tobi Oladepo, emphasized the importance of instilling safety consciousness in the younger generation.

“Safety is a collective responsibility, and this is why we decided to start from the foundation, our schools,” Oladepo said, adding that “We must catch them young and build a generation that is security- and safety-aware in homes, schools, markets, churches, and everywhere in our communities.”

The SASA programme brought together key safety stakeholders for a practical and interactive learning experience.

These included Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which led live fire drill demonstrations; the Nigerian Red Cross, which trained students on CPR and first aid and Lagos State Safety Commission, which taught pupils how to identify workplace and environmental hazards.

The Nigeria Police was also in hand to give talks on personal security, vigilance, and how to safely engage law enforcement.

Further, Oladepo said by September, a 60-day online awareness campaign would kick off, aimed at engaging young people through social media platforms where they are most active.

He stressed that the digital campaign would provide practical tips on personal and community safety, cyber vigilance, emergency contact information, and more.

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“We want every child, every household, to know how to respond in emergencies and how to prevent them. Whether it’s cultism, fire, accidents, or threats—they should be alert and responsive,” said a programme official.

Seun Awojobi, Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, said the programme was not only about response, but prevention.

“Schools are workplaces too. If pupils can recognize a potential hazard, they can prevent accidents before they happen,” he explained.

“And when they take that knowledge home, they make their communities safer,” he added.

Awojobi added that the initiative was an offshoot of the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, which Lagos State had fully adopted.

He said it was aimed at ensuring that pupils across both public and private schools went to school and return home safely, free from violence, hazards, or preventable emergencies.

Organisers revealed that the SASA campaign would soon expand to cover all three senatorial districts in the state namely, Lagos East, West, and Central, with the next phases targeting a broader range of schools and communities.

Also speaking at the event, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, made a strong appeal for citizens to take personal responsibility for their own safety and preparedness, beginning with the simple but critical tool of owning a fire extinguisher.

“Emergencies happen fast. Every house should have a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it,” Hundeyin stated, adding that “Safety is not just the government’s duty—it starts with you and I.”

He stressed that the trust gap between citizens and security agencies was narrowing, thanks to increased advocacy and direct engagement.

He encouraged young people to report threats and security concerns using the police’s multiple channels, especially social media platforms and emergency numbers.

“When we engage the community and act rightly, people trust us more. That’s why we’re here, not just to talk, but to build confidence,” Hundeyin added.

At a time when Nigeria continues to face challenges related to school-based violence, arson, and kidnapping threats, experts say Lagos’s proactive approach could serve as a model for other states.

By combining top-down government policies with bottom-up grassroots education and awareness, Lagos is taking significant steps toward building a resilient, safety-conscious society, starting with its most valuable asset: its children.

The post Lagos deepens commitment to school safety awareness appeared first on Frontpageng.