A graphic artist in Rivers State,Mr John Dabopuye is transforming the lives of teenagers residing at the Waterfronts in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital through his pet project slogan ” Positive Teens”
Dabopuye, popularly called ” Jonny” began his journey to transform the lives of the teenagers about two years ago when an incident of teens altercation resulted in vulgar abuse under the watch of parents in his community,Iyo – Polo,Marine base.
According to him, the behavior of the children was morally wrong, lacking parental discipline and oversight and needed urgent intervention to prevent a further build up of moral decadence and engender a saner, and safer neighborhood and society on the whole.
Speaking to Current Matters on Monday, the popular artist said that the Positive Teens which is conceptualized to” redirect the teens mindsets started with about six children from age 13-17, but parents who saw the impact of the programme on children appealed to him to consider children from 3 years to grow into teenage with the essential teens intiative adding that at the moment, over one hundred teenagers and a good number of little children ( boys and girls) are part of the programme.
He said that some teens who did not have the means to go to school have been enrolled in Secondary schools in Port Harcourt
One of them, Ebenezer Kalu from Abia State was registered for studies in Junior Secondary School ( JSS3).
In an address at the Teens first anniversary ,one of the teens,Princewill Ebelo gave a scary presentation of parental abandonment of their God – given roles.
Ebelo,one of the best in the teens programme said ” Lately,we all have witnessed the negative lifestyle of our teenagers which clearly states that parents have a lot of work to do in the rearing of children.I mean the teenagers of our generation most times under the watch of parents. Children are indulging in ungodly behavior without being questioned by their some parents are busy chasing shadows instead of substance . Money is not every up,we will not depart from it.”
He said that the sole aim of the redirecting the teens mindsets slogan is teaching them how to” honour their parents , respect elders and also, inculcate in teenagers moral values to free them from social vices” in the society .
Positive Teens has also organised programmes such as Children day activities Garri eating competition and Bible quizzes.
It has also embarked upon training of teens in relevant skills to make them self reliant and live meaningfully and peacefully.
For “Johnny ” the initiator of the programme, the population of the children is expanding and needs the support of other public spirited individuals, institutions and groups.
He commended Lover of Children who supported the teens programme with some Holy Bibles and another,a friend of his who gave a token of assistance to the welfare of the children.
