Correction:Excellent : Bola tinubu on Boy child education by Augustine Togonu Bickersteth London England 🇬🇧 may 25 2026

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Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth

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9:40 AM (7 hours ago) 9:40 AM

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Dear President Bola tinubu boy child programme of your administration is one of the most remarkable things you have done if not the most remarkable. I think it's your most remarkable intervention.

Why? The child is the father of the man as one thinker put it.and as the Greek philosopher protagoras puts it.man is the measure of all things and Aristotle ssid: man is a political animal. That animal called man according to Baba olusegun obasanjo with a book of the that : title: that animal called man.

Bandits kidnappers insurgents are largely men from being boys. Boys will be boys.

So the chairman code of conduct bureau Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in Nigeria Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello. has called for a ministry of boys.i would also call for a ministtty of girls .

And a resuscitation of the boys scout movement .girl's guide girl scout and Brownie the length and breadth of nigeria

Signed Augustine Togonu Bickersteth London England 🇬🇧 may 25 2026

Boys need mentors, safe spaces to thrive, FG, stakeholders stress

By : Ene Oshaba

Date: 25 May 2026 1:01pm WAT

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Concerned by rising social pressures, emotional neglect and increasing cases of gender-based violence involving young people, the Federal Government and key development partners have called for deliberate investments in the Nigerian boy-child through mentorship, emotional support and value-driven leadership programmes.

The call was made in Abuja during the second edition of the Boy-Child Roundtable Mentorship Programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child.

The event, themed “Champions of Change: Growth, Grit and Global Impact,” brought together government officials, youth advocates, development partners, private sector leaders and students to discuss the future of Nigerian boys and the need for intentional guidance in shaping responsible men.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila, Keshinro, said Nigerian boys require “deliberate guidance, strong role models and safe spaces” to openly discuss their dreams, fears and aspirations.

She said the mentorship dialogue was designed to move beyond formal lectures and create “honest conversations where real learning can happen.”

“We recognise that in today’s rapidly changing world, our young boys need deliberate guidance, strong role models and safe spaces to talk about their futures, their challenges and their dreams,” she said.

Keshinro stressed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment and social inclusion, noting that mentorship remained critical to raising emotionally intelligent and responsible young men.

In a message that resonated strongly with participants, she added: “Teach the boys that vulnerability is a strength, and that compassion is their greatest armour.”

Earlier, Director of Youth, Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs in the ministry, Emmanuel Okonkwo, said the government was intentionally creating platforms where boys could learn resilience, discipline and leadership.

According to him, the mentorship initiative was conceived to nurture “responsible, resilient and value-driven young boys” capable of contributing positively to their families and communities.

He said: “We recognise that young boys require positive role models and platforms where they can openly discuss their aspirations, challenges and responsibilities.”

Okonkwo also urged participants to listen closely to the experiences shared by mentors and remain focused on building positive values.

Development partners at the event warned that the neglect of boys in conversations around gender and social development could undermine efforts to build safer communities.

Speaking on behalf of Plan International Nigeria, the organisation’s Head of Social Development, Laban Bako, recounted the distress call of a young female intern allegedly forced out of her residence by a male partner, arguing that many harmful behaviours stem from a lack of mentorship and emotional guidance for boys.

“For us in Plan International, everything has largely been about the girl-child, but we must also ask ourselves, who are the perpetrators of violence against girls? They are boys who were never guided,” he said.

He stressed the need for balanced interventions that support both girls and boys, warning that empowering girls alone without addressing the behaviour and mindset of boys would produce limited results.

“We have empowered the girls, yes, but have we sat down one day to intentionally talk to boys? Have we deliberately created mentors they can look up to?” he queried.

Bako further disclosed that Plan International already operates “Male Champions” community engagement groups to mentor boys and address issues such as gender-based violence and mental health.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of House of Destiny Global Services, Dr. Israel Olajumoke, said investing in boys was ultimately an investment in the stability of society.

“We believe that investing in the boy-child is an investment in the very fabric of our society,” he said.