The sixth edition of the Lagos State Inter-Public Schools Championship has taken on a broader social mission, using sports, debate, creativity and other school-based activities to equip students with knowledge and confidence to prevent and speak out against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Organised by the Shamadean Imole Charity Foundation in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education and Information, the championship brings together public junior and senior secondary schools across the state’s six education districts.

The organisers said the initiative provides an avenue to revive the value of education while using engaging activities to keep young people in school, develop their talents and promote positive behaviours.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the agency’s Head of Community Engagement, Damilare Adewusi, commended the foundation for its sustained efforts to prevent sexual and gender-based violence through innovative education and sports initiatives.

He said the agency was looking forward to the year’s “Kick Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Sports Competition”, describing it as an opportunity to bring secondary school students together to reinforce the message of rejecting SGBV.

“As we look forward to this year’s Kick Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Sports Competition, we anticipate another impactful platform that will bring secondary school students together to reinforce the message of kicking against sexual and gender-based violence while promoting teamwork, discipline, respect, awareness of reporting channels, and access to available support services in a fun and engaging learning environment,” Adewusi said.

The organisers believe that reaching students through sports and other activities can make conversations around violence, respect, consent, reporting and available support services easier and more engaging.

Convener of the Shamadean Imole Charity Foundation, Aderemi Oki, said the initiative began in 2021 in response to what she described as a decline in the value attached to education.

“We started in 2021, and our main goal is to bring back the value of education to Lagos State through engaging events like sports and debate that will attract the students and out-of-school kids to education. So far, we’ve been able to return over 700 students to school,” Oki said.

“We were inspired by the drop in value of education. We want to win the souls of those who do not come to school,” she added.

Beyond its SGBV prevention component, the championship features debate, chess, Scrabble, table tennis, male and female football, as well as cooking competitions for teachers and students.

The Lagos State High School Creatives (LSHSC) will also showcase students’ artistic abilities through miming, acapella and cultural performances.

Preliminary debate rounds have already commenced in Epe, Kosofe, Somolu-Bariga, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja, with schools from different communities participating.

Following the resumption of schools in September, the remaining stages of the championship will continue across Lagos. The cooking competition is scheduled for October 27, 2026, at Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, while the male and female football finals will be held on November 19 at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.

The creative segment will take place on November 23 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, while the championship will culminate on November 24 with the Lagos State Inter-Public Schools Debate Grand Finale for junior and senior secondary schools, also at MUSON Centre.

Official beverage sponsor Sosa Fruit Drink, through its Brand Manager, Ruth Mark, described the championship as more than a competition, saying it promotes leadership, teamwork, creativity, confidence and healthy competition.

Indomie Brand Manager, Ibrahim Isah, similarly said the initiative would help students discover their talents, build confidence and leadership skills, form meaningful friendships and remain committed to education.

Both sponsors urged more schools, parents, teachers and students to participate actively, stressing that the programme offers young people opportunities to learn, compete, express themselves and develop life skills beyond the classroom.

The foundation has therefore called for sustained support from schools, parents, government and other stakeholders, saying the championship remains a platform for discovering young talents, strengthening education and building safer, more confident and responsible young people across Lagos.

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