…As First Lady urges Parents to instill positive values, influences in boys
…Rewards Talented Lagos Boys
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has been commended for championing
he Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) as a way of instilling positive morals in boys and
enlightening parents on behavioural management of the boy child.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu gave the commendation at the 2023
Lagos Boy Child Initiative Parenting Seminar held on Thursday, 29th August, 2023 at Villa Park
Hotels & Suites, Plot 76, Link Road, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.
The Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social
Development, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyitolu mentioned that the Lagos State Government is
pleased to identify fully with this initiative and the goals that it seeks to achieve in line with the
vision and commitment to the policy of inclusion of his administration as a strategy for
sustainable development.
Sanwo-Olu also identified lack of good parenting and societal perception on the upbringing of
the male child as some of the factors inhibiting the boy child to attain their full potentials.
He, however, advocated a change of mindset and the realization of the fact that every
responsible and well brought up girl child will also need to be complemented by a responsible
and well brought up male child.
Speaking during the event, the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu encouraged parents to be
deliberate in their actions towards their children regardless of their gender, maintaining that
training the boy child requires painstaking efforts and series of counselling sessions.
“I want to encourage all stakeholders present to encourage not only our children but others
around us. When we see potentials in them, let’s encourage them to develop it. In our own little
way, let’s support the dreams of children around us to make the world a better and safer place
to live,” the Governor’s wife stated.
She used the opportunity of the event to present cash and gift prizes to the most outstanding
four winners of the inaugural talent hunt competition earlier organized by her office, just as she
gave consolation prizes to other winners, referring to all the 13 boys that participated in the
competition as champions in their own way and encouraged them to continue to hone their
creative skills.
The keenly contested competition was done in two categories: Creative and Visual Arts and
Science and Technology under which we have Robotics and Mechatronics and the prizes were
awarded to both senior and junior categories.
The Governor’s wife also applauded the benevolent gesture of the First Lady of Federal
Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for awarding a student of Lagos State
University (LASU) Miss Maryam Aramide Abdulrasaq a scholarship under the Renewed Hope
Initiative through its National Scholarship Programme (NASP) Tertiary Education.
According to her, the visionary leadership of Senator Oluremi Tinubu encouraged her to
personally give back to society. “This is one of the reasons behind what we are experiencing
today, we will not only discover talents, we will nurture and develop them to their full potentials.”
Dr. Sanwo-Olu added.
The Founder, International Parent Network, Mrs. Wendy Ologe, one of the facilitators at the
event, delivered a paper on: “Effective Parenting: Managing Behavioral Differences and
Mentoring Responsible Boys” where she stressed that fathers need to be more available for
their male children, extend love to them and show them compassion as role models and
mentors.
Wendy explained that the society have adopted raising boys to be tough and man-up personal
situations, which, according to her, has resulted to various negative consequences faced by the
boy child. She urged parents to be more committed towards raising children and see their
families as organizations where all units must work together to drive happy homes.
Other topics delivered included: Drug Abuse: Preventive Measures and Consequences,
delivered by Leonard Okonkwo, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist and
Hypnotherapist, LASUTH; and Innovation and Creativity: A pathway for Building Tomorrow’s
Leaders” delivered by Mr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, CEO, Eko Innovation Centre and GDM Group,
Hazon Holdings.
All the invited Panelists shared their wealth of experiences at the Seminar and enlightened the
audience on the topic: Effective Parenting: Raising Boys Innovative Leaders In a Disruptive
World. They included: Mr. Ebuka Ede – Founder, Save the Boys Initiative, Mr Dein Whyte of
CyberCrimes and Security (EFCC), Mr. Victor Afolabi of Innovation and Creativity Expert, Dr
Juliana Lawson and Mrs. Akran Akhere, who are parents and Mrs Rhoda Ayinde, the
Moderator.
NWONAH OLUBUKONLA
DD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY, LAGOS STATE
29/08/23
