Cybercrime will destroy your future – Lagos First Lady warns Boys

The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on young boys to reject cybercrime and cultivate discipline, integrity and responsible digital behaviour, warning that the lure of quick money continues to derail many promising futures.

She made the appeal on Wednesday at the Lagos Boy Child Initiative Residential Workshop themed “Re-Orientating the Boy Child to Become an Ambassador”, held at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu observed that increased exposure to digital platforms and social media has amplified both opportunities and risks for young people.

According to her, peer pressure, poor orientation and the attraction of fast financial gains often push boys into criminal activities, particularly cyber-related offences.

She stressed that character, self-discipline and positive social conduct must guide the choices boys make both online and offline, noting that genuine leadership is rooted in integrity and the courage to stand firm under pressure.

The First Lady described the residential workshop as a strategic intervention designed to equip boys with practical skills, mentorship and exposure to career and personal development opportunities.

Sessions covering leadership, career guidance, mental well-being and civic responsibility, she said, are tailored to produce young men who are academically competent and socially responsible.

“Today marks another significant step in our collective effort to raise a generation of well-rounded young men—boys who are not only academically sound but also morally upright, socially responsible, and emotionally stable to face the challenges of the future.

“I am particularly pleased with the quality of resource persons carefully selected for this year’s programme. From the sessions already held today, I am confident that you have gained valuable insights on critical issues such as cybercrime, the productive use of social media, and the importance of staying on the right path while embracing strong moral and godly values,” she added.

Sanwo-Olu lamented that over the years, the boy child has not received the level of guidance and advocacy consistently extended to the girl child.

While acknowledging that continued empowerment of girls remains vital, she maintained that balanced attention is necessary to prevent boys from being left behind.

“I must continue to emphasize that, over the years, our boys have suffered from inadequate orientation and the level of attention they deserve, especially when compared to the advocacy and support consistently directed towards the girl child. While that advocacy remains important, it has become increasingly necessary to ensure that the boy child is not left behind,” Sanwo-Olu emphasized.

In her remarks, the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Oluremi Hamzat, described the initiative as timely and strategic, aimed at shaping responsible and purposeful young men.

She reminded participants that they are future leaders, innovators and change-makers, urging them to pursue academic excellence, respect parents and teachers, and uphold virtues that will make them worthy ambassadors of their families and communities.

Hamzat encouraged the boys to approach the workshop with openness and commitment, noting that the lessons and interactions would serve as a foundation for discovering their full potential and contributing positively to society.