01/01/2022
In many West African nations it is common to find children attending boarding schools. Students are sent away and expected to achieve and go on to higher learning. While these experiences hold fond memories for students, there is an unspoken problem that seems to be ignored even though everyone knows it’s happening. There is a abusive hazing/bullying culture by upperclassman towards younger students. Things experienced are taking food items, gifts, money from students, forcing them to do things, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, and so on. Because this behavior has gone on for over 50 years, no one says or does anything.
In this photo we have the smiling 12 year old Sylvester Omoroni. This beautiful boy lost his life due to the physical abuse he endured by the hands of senior students, for not joining a gang. To add to the pain of losing Sylvester, school administrators tried to cover up the death and told his parents that he was injured while playing soccer. Sylvester told his parents that he did not play soccer, nor did he fall and hurt himself.
It has been said that some of the senior boys have fled the country as their rich parents are “protecting” them. This is a horrible case all around and I hope Sylvester and his family will receive justice. I have not filled in all the details of this horrible story, but feel free to Google the case. The government of Nigeria has since shut down the elite private school. Bullying is a problem ALL OVER THE WORLD. It’s a global problem and it must be stopped! Let’s make a real difference in 2022 to change things. RIP Sylvester 💜🖤
