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Adols Media has premiered its latest movie, DINA, in Lagos, shedding light on the urgent need to protect the girl child from sexual-based violence in schools and society.
The film, which serves as an advocacy tool against the rising cases of gender-based violence, was screened before a select group of journalists, seeking media collaboration in the fight against this societal menace.
Speaking at the premiere, the movie’s executive producer, Wilson Ukhurebor, emphasized the challenges of funding and support for the production. “We took DINA to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to gain their support. However, the reception was poor at first. We are doing this to help society, yet there were difficulties in getting recognition. Over time, they began to understand our mission. This is a self-funded project, with no corporate sponsors, and we are calling on journalists to amplify the message.”
A Movie Born Out of Firsthand Experience
Ukhurebor, a former teacher, revealed that the motivation behind DINA came from real-life experiences. “Having worked in different schools, I witnessed over ten cases of sexual assault on students in Lagos alone. In many cases, parents would approach schools asking about measures against erring teachers, while in other cases, families covered up incidents, especially when the perpetrator was a relative. This silence fuels the problem. Now that I am in film production, I saw the need to use cinema as a medium to address this issue.”
He acknowledged that while sexual violence in schools is often perpetrated by teachers against students, cases of students assaulting teachers, though rare, have also occurred. “Both day and boarding schools are affected. Once a child reaches puberty, some unscrupulous men exploit their vulnerability. While there are occasional cases of female teachers harassing male students, the most common problem remains the assault of young girls by men who should be protecting them. Parents must foster open communication with their children, ensuring they feel safe enough to report abuse.”
Bringing the Story to Life: The Cast Speaks
One of the lead actors, Mr. Maxwell, who played Mr. Bamidele in DINA, shared his experience preparing for the role. “As an actor, any role can be assigned to you, and you must embody it completely. From the time I received the script, I had to study the character deeply, internalize his experiences, and bring him to life. It was a difficult role because we were not just making a movie for entertainment; we wanted to tell a powerful story that addresses an urgent problem in our society.”
He further emphasized that Adols Media aims to produce films that serve as solutions to societal issues. “This movie is not about making money. We want society, religious institutions, schools, and government agencies to take action. The fight against sexual violence is for everyone.”
Judith Edwin Ezinwannakonel, who played Dina, the protagonist, discussed her journey into acting and her passion for storytelling. “I trained at the Royal Arts Academy and Kunle Afolayan Production, as well as through church plays. Though I’ve been acting for two years, I have missed some opportunities due to school. I am currently studying Political Science at the University of Lagos, but I am also working on scriptwriting because I hope to become a filmmaker. DINA is a project that resonates with me because everyone should be involved in ending sexual violence.”
Government’s Role in Ending Sexual Violence
Also present at the event was Mrs. Adejoke Ladenegan-Oginni, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the Lagos State Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Agency. She reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to eradicating sexual-based violence.
“Lagos State has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse. If you rape a child, you may spend the rest of your life in jail. We see it as a form of murder. Our agency works tirelessly to keep incidents at the lowest possible level, if not eradicate them entirely.”
She urged parents to build strong relationships with their children to encourage openness. “Parents must educate their children early. They must create an environment where children feel safe to report abuse. In our advocacy programs, we talk to both boys and girls, educating them on what constitutes inappropriate behavior and who to report to if they experience or witness abuse. We have helpline numbers that operate 24/7, ensuring immediate assistance for victims.”
The Role of Schools and Religious Institutions
Ladenegan-Oginni highlighted the importance of collaboration with schools and religious institutions in tackling sexual-based violence. “We work with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Justice Ministry. Schools are critical in this fight, as they are where many cases happen. We hold meetings with school administrators, ensuring they understand their role in protecting students.”
Addressing religious leaders, she said, “Churches and mosques must be proactive in discussing sexual violence. Many cases happen within religious communities, and silence often allows perpetrators to continue their abuse. We have family support units and special police departments dedicated to handling such cases, and we urge everyone to report incidents rather than cover them up.”
A Call to Action
The premiere of DINA marks the beginning of an intensified campaign against sexual violence, using film as a medium for awareness and change. The filmmakers hope that by sparking conversations and involving key stakeholders, the culture of silence surrounding abuse will be broken, and perpetrators will be held accountable.
With DINA, Adols Media has set a powerful precedent—one that calls on society to stand together in the protection of the girl child. As journalists, activists, and the government rally around the cause, the message is clear: sexual-based violence must end, and every child deserves to grow up in safety and dignity.
*Report by Dayo Emmanuel
