News
Bullying: Dysfunctional Homes, Domestic Violence Are Factors — Psychologist
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Following the viral videos of bullying incidents at an Abuja rich kids’ school and the attendant outrage on social media, PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA speaks to an expert about causes and red flags of the menace.
A psychiatrist/psychologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Charles Umeh, has said that bullying, especially among children, is common with kids who are subjected to domestic violence or are witnessing domestic violence in their homes.
He also said that some children, by nature of the kind of environment they grow up in, tend to be violence-oriented.
According to him, such children tend to drive their self esteem by overpowering others, saying this is one of the reasons they want to attach themselves to other persons, maybe trying to hang out with others in cultism and other boys’ groups.
Dr. Umeh, however, identified another aspect as personality disorder in children, saying; “The only thing we can look at is probably disorder in children which might metamorphoses into antisocial personality.
“Now these are people that by nature of their psychological makeup don’t want to be authority figures and they take delight in seeing others suffer and to them, its fun, so that is why we call it a personality disorder and they are very manipulative at the same time,” he explained.
Explaining further, the psychologist said: “When you talk about bullying, especially among the young ones, it is common among those ones who have witnessed their fathers beating their mothers or those ones that are subjected to domestic violence and because children learn vicariously, they always think that they can always get the things they need by getting on top of others.
“When you look at bullying in primary schools and secondary schools you may begin to ask yourself, do they follow the same pattern? In primary schools, you could see that the reason could be from watching what happens at home, dysfunctional homes, domestic violence.
“It could also be the kind of upbringing they have. Now when the upbringing is such that children are allowed to do whatever they want to do, and you know most young children want to avoid anything that is stressful, so in an attempt to do that, they end up not obeying rules, not knowing the standard that is expected of them outside, so they are kind of susceptible to group behaviour or group activities so that they will belong.
“So you can see that there are so many contexts, depending on how you are looking at it. And whatever it is, bullying has negative emotional consequences to the victims.”
On how to know if a child is being bullied, Dr Umeh said when you see that a child that is doing well, suddenly his or her morale begins to drop, and some of the skills the child has acquired before, he or she begins to drop them, or even becomes very nervous, and beginning to withdraw, it is possible that the child is being bullied.
Leadership
President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.
The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.
The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.
In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.
According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.
“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”
Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*
1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.
2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.
3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.
The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.
*Details of the March:*
• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters
Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.
Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.
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