The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to the development of young boys, advocating for mentorship, skills acquisition, and character building to equip them for leadership roles in the future.
Speaking at the three-day 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop at Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, in Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, she highlighted the importance of instilling resilience, values, and the right mindset in boys to help them overcome societal challenges such as peer pressure, cultism, substance abuse, and mental health struggles.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu underscored the significance of vocational skills, stating that trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work are just as rewarding as traditional professional careers.
According to her, a well-trained artisan is as vital to society as a doctor or lawyer, as no community can thrive without skilled professionals across various sectors.
She encouraged boys to take pride in skill-based professions alongside their academic goals, stressing that artisans play a crucial role in national development and should never feel inferior to those in white-collar jobs.
She also noted that men increasingly receive patronage in traditionally female-dominated fields like hairdressing and catering, proving that skill mastery transcends gender stereotypes.
“This initiative was conceived to ensure that our boys are not left behind. We must be deliberate about raising well-rounded individuals by providing them with the right skills, moral values, and opportunities to excel,” she stated.
The second day of the workshop, which convened 200 boys aged 13 to 17 from public and private schools, orphanages, correctional facilities, and technical and vocational centres, featured discussions on self-esteem, personal hygiene, mental health, and drug abuse prevention.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu also spoke on the educational visits integrated into the programme, explaining that the participants’ trip to the Imota Rice Mill on Tuesday and the planned visit to Sonnex Plant on Wednesday aimed to expose them to food security initiatives and environmental sustainability efforts undertaken by the Lagos State Government.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to youth empowerment, she expressed confidence that such initiatives would nurture a generation of responsible men who will contribute positively to society.
“The future of Lagos depends on the quality of young men we raise today. Let us continue to work together to empower our boys, strengthen our families, and build a greater Lagos,” she concluded.
The Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Hon. Wale Anomo, encouraged the boys to apply SWOT analysis in problem-solving, emphasising that success is rooted in hard work and determination.
In her remarks, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, National Coordinator of the Olave Baden Powell Society, commended the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to the cause, noting that her efforts would create a paradigm shift in managing life challenges and achieving success.
The 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) officially commenced with a visit to Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Kazeem Alogba. The participants were warmly received at the Round House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, and the Lagos State Judiciary, Ikeja.
