Sanwo-Olu Lauds Wife For Championing Lagos Boy-Child Initiative
… As First Lady Urges Parents to Instil Positive Values, Influences in Boys
… Rewards Talented Lagos Boys
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has been commended for championing the 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 Tuesday, 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 his administration’s policy of inclusion as a strategy for sustainable development.
Sanwo-Olu also identified the lack of good parenting and societal perception in the upbringing of the male child as some of the factors inhibiting the boy-child from attaining their full potential.
He, however, advocated a change of mindset and the realisation 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 a series of counselling sessions.
“I want to encourage all stakeholders present to encourage not only our children but others around us. When we see potential in them, let’s encourage them to develop it. In our 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 also used the opportunity to present cash and gift prizes to the top four winners of the inaugural talent hunt competition earlier organised 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 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 the 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.
The Founder, of the International Parent Network, Mrs. Wendy Ologe, one of the facilitators at the event, delivered a paper on: “Effective Parenting: Managing Behavioural 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 society has adopted raising boys to be tough and bold, which, according to her, has resulted in various negative consequences faced by the boy child. She urged parents to be more committed to raising children and see their families as organisations where all units must work together to drive happy homes.
The invited Panelists included: Mr. Ebuka Ede – Founder, of 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.
