18th February, 2025
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has called for greater investment in the development of young boys, stressing the importance of mentorship, skills acquisition, and character building to prepare them for future leadership.
Speaking at the three-day 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop held at Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, in Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, Dr. Sanwo-Olu underscored the need to equip boys with the right values, mindset, and resilience to navigate societal challenges, including peer pressure, cultism, substance abuse, and mental health struggles.
She highlighted the economic viability of trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, noting that a well-trained artisan is just as essential as a doctor or lawyer in ensuring society functions effectively.
Encouraging boys to embrace skill-based professions alongside their academic pursuits, she stated: “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.”
Dr. Sanwo-Olu also pointed out that men are increasingly excelling in traditionally female-dominated vocations such as hairdressing and catering, proving that skill mastery transcends gender stereotypes.
The second day of the workshop, which brought together 200 boys aged 13 to 17 from public and private schools, orphanages, correctional facilities, and technical and vocational centers, featured discussions on self-esteem, personal hygiene, mental health, and drug abuse prevention.
On Tuesday, participants embarked on an educational visit to the Imota Rice Mill, with a scheduled tour of Sonnex Plant on Wednesday.
The First Lady explained that these visits were designed to expose the boys to the State Government’s food security efforts and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Reaffirming the Lagos State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, she added: “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.”
In his goodwill message, Hon. Wale Anomo, Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, encouraged participants to apply SWOT analysis in problem-solving, emphasizing that hard work remains key to success.
Earlier, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, National Coordinator for the Olave Baden Powell Society, commended the First Lady’s passion and unwavering commitment to supporting young boys, noting that such initiatives would inspire a paradigm shift in navigating life 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. Participants were warmly received at the Round House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, and the Lagos State Judiciary, Ikeja.
