President Bola Tinubu has congratulated fathers, including all paternal figures, who have contributed to shaping the destiny of the nation through their sacrifice, forbearance, provision, protection, presence, and guidance of the young ones to the noble and true path.

He said that society would be in better stead with fathers who rise to the great demand of responsibility, guiding the children through the vagaries of existence and preparing them for the future, as well as bequeathing to them pristine values that money or material comfort cannot provide, but only by personal example of discipline, integrity, service, respect, love and allegiance to the nation.

The President, therefore, urged fathers to stay true to their commitment to positively shaping the destinies of those to whom the future belongs.

Also, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has felicitated with fathers across the country, particularly those in Edo, charging them to ensure that they remain relevant always and continue to be the superheroes they are.

In a statement by his media team in Benin City, Ighodalo said: “As compass and pathfinder that many confidently look up to, we have a daunting task to always challenge the present, and possibly the future generation of our children to imbibe the virtues of hard work, honesty and integrity, humility and respect, selflessness and compassion to reflect the ideals we hold dear.”

Meanwhile, an NGO, the Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has decried the United Nations’ systemic gender bias against men while urging it to commit more to promoting gender equality and recognition for men. Founder and President of the Foundation, Ms Halima Layeni, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Layeni, who referenced the UN’s disposition to Father’s Day, men and their contributions to society said the UN has never acknowledged the importance of celebrating men and their contributions to society.

Although Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide, many countries observe this day which celebrates fatherhood and male parenting on the third Sunday in June.

Layeni said that the UN proclaims its commitment to gender equality, yet it hypocritically ignores the unseen sacrifices of fathers, husbands, and sons.

She added that the organisation’s silence was deafening, as it perpetuates a harmful narrative that men were not worthy of recognition or celebration. She said that this not only harms men but also has far-reaching consequences for families, communities, and society as a whole.

“You celebrate numerous days dedicated to women, including International Women’s Day (March 8), International Girls’ Day (October 11), International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Women’s History Month (March), International Women’s Day of Peace and Disarmament (May 24). These celebrations are important and necessary, but they also highlight the stark contrast in recognition and celebration of men”, Layeni said.

She said that there were no UN-recognised days dedicated to celebrating men or boys, a disparity that perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes and discrimination. She said that this omission reinforced harmful gender stereotypes, limiting men’s ability to express emotions, seek help, and pursue non-traditional roles.