The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in collaboration with AXA Mansard, officially launched the Smart Teens Advocacy Initiative (STAI) Booklet on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Hosted at the AXA Mansard Head Office in Victoria Island, Lagos, the landmark event brought together key stakeholders, advocates, and secondary school students to address the pressing need for youth-focused safety education.
Developed by the Lagos DSVA with the robust backing of AXA Mansard, the STAI Booklet serves as a comprehensive, practical guide for teenagers and young adults. The publication is designed to navigate the complexities of the modern world by teaching safety, personal rights, respect, healthy relationships, and effective protection from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Equipping the Next Generation
Students from Falomo Senior Secondary School and Ireti Senior Grammar School actively participated in the launch, which was expertly hosted by Mr. Olusesan Ogunyoye. The event kicked off with a welcome address by the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health Limited, Mr. Tope Adeniyi, who emphasized the corporate organization’s unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility, child protection, and holistic societal wellbeing.
“Being a child shouldn’t be a risk. Our commitment at AXA Mansard remains fixed on promoting the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of children and young people, ensuring they have the tools to thrive in a secure environment,” stated Mr. Tope Adeniyi.
Shifting from Awareness to Action
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasized that the initiative represents a major cultural shift rather than just a routine book launch.
“This launch is more than the unveiling of a publication; it marks the beginning of a movement to equip teenagers with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to navigate today’s realities safely and responsibly,” Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi declared.
She highly commended AXA Mansard for its strategic partnership through the AXA Week for Good Campaign, which operates under the theme “Being a Child Shouldn’t Be a Risk.” According to the Executive Secretary, the STAI booklet seamlessly builds upon the agency’s existing Safeguarding the Rights of a Child (STRAC) programme, specifically tackling modern youth challenges including identity, peer influence, consent, social media engagement, personal boundaries, and healthy relationships.
Unveiling a Safer Future
The definitive highlight of the occasion was the official unveiling of the STAI Booklet by Mrs. Adebola Surakat (Chief Marketing Officer, AXA Mansard), alongside Mr. Tope Adeniyi and Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
Beyond the formal presentations, the event served as an expressive platform for the youth, featuring impactful poems and speeches delivered by the attending students. Additionally, Mrs. Adenike Omiwale, a seasoned Psychologist at the Lagos State DSVA, delivered an insightful educational session titled “Protecting Teenagers in a Changing World: What We Must Do Differently,” which challenged adults to adopt modern, proactive safeguarding strategies.
The successful event concluded with closing remarks from Mrs. Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi, Human Resources Director at AXA Mansard, who re-echoed the firm’s dedication to community building. The launch of the Smart Teens Advocacy Initiative Booklet marks another successful milestone in the sustained partnership between Lagos DSVA and AXA Mansard, reinforcing their shared vision of advancing child protection and empowering young Nigerians to live with dignity, safety, and respect.
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