In a renewed push for holistic youth development, experts and advocates have called for greater focus on the emotional, psychological, and moral well-being of the boy child in Nigeria.

The call was made during the annual boy-child awareness event organised by Kiddies Mirror Helping Hand Initiative, held at Bergson Education Centre, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

Delivering the keynote address, Temple Lawrence—a human rights advocate, media personality, and filmmaker—underscored the need to equip boys with emotional resilience, mental health support, and leadership skills.
“This initiative is a two-way learning platform,” he noted. “I learnt from the boys just as they learnt from me.”

Lawrence emphasised that confronting the challenges boys face is vital to achieving gender balance and a more equitable future.
“The boy-child initiative is about illuminating the path to equality and protection,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Hogan Efiok Eyo, CEO and Creative Director of Visualz Remark Production, warned that ignoring the needs of boys poses long-term risks to societal stability.
“No society can be truly inclusive if the boy child continues to be sidelined in national discourse and policy,” Eyo said.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to building safe spaces where boys are seen, heard, and supported to thrive.

Felicia Owolo, Programme Manager at Kiddies Mirror Helping Hand Initiative, reiterated the foundation’s dedication to moral and character education.
“Our programmes provide structured mentorship, summer camps, vocational training, sports, and life-skills support for boys aged 13 to 17, especially from underserved communities,” she explained.

Educator and researcher Mrs. Rosberg Michael Esebuono added that how boys are raised has wide-reaching societal impacts.
“How boys and men behave affects not just themselves, but also the lives of girls, women, and people across gender identities,” she said.

Mrs. Esebuono advocated for collaborative parenting involving government agencies, schools, faith institutions, and families to raise boys free from harmful gender stereotypes.

Ambassador James Expensive, an award-winning on-air personality with Wazobia FM, encouraged boys to cultivate leadership early in life.
He cited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his ability to forge inclusive political relationships early in his career laid the foundation for his leadership style.

Douglas Unah, also of Wazobia FM, Abuja, emphasized the value of positive reinforcement in parenting.
“When boys complete tasks, praise them—it builds their self-confidence,” he said. He also urged parents to assign age-appropriate responsibilities, correct mistakes with empathy, and teach emotional regulation and open communication.
Unah further recommended giving boys freedom in small personal decisions—such as grooming, food, and clothing—to prepare them for adult responsibilities.

In a touching moment, a student participant, Son Michael, expressed appreciation on behalf of the boys.
“We thank Kiddies Mirror Helping Hand Initiative for remembering us, guiding us, and showing us we matter. This has inspired us to become better, stronger, and more responsible in all we do,” he said.

The event concluded with a collective call for inclusive policies, intentional parenting, and a shift in societal mindset—one that views boys not just as future leaders, but as young individuals who deserve compassion, guidance, and opportunities to grow into empathetic, value-driven men.