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The Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) says it reached more than 49,585 direct and indirect beneficiaries through its youth development and boychild advocacy programmes in 2026.
The organisation also extended its activities to 37 schools across three states, distributed more than 4,300 copies of its book, Unheard Voices of the Boychild, and provided learning materials to five schools.
Its President, Dr Hillary Akpua, disclosed this at the recent fourth edition of the Great Achievers Awards 2026 in Abuja. He also announced plans to double the organisation’s impact in 2027.
Akpua said GAIYD began its boychild advocacy campaign in 2021 before securing formal registration in 2023. He explained that the initiative emerged from concerns about challenges affecting boys and the need to prepare them for responsible adulthood.
He said the organisation believed that raising responsible boys would contribute to stronger families and a better society.
“We found out that our society is going through a lot of challenges, and we believe that if there is a better boychild, there will be a better family. If there is a better family, there is going to be a better society,” he said.
To advance this goal, Akpua said GAIYD had sustained school sensitisation campaigns, community engagements and parental programmes. These activities aim to equip boys with the guidance and support needed to fulfil their potential.
Giving details of its interventions, he said the organisation engaged 435 students and 33 teachers in secondary schools across Nasarawa and Niger states.
The sessions addressed drug abuse, mental health, personal hygiene, personal responsibility and positive decision-making. Personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) supported some of the activities.
The initiative also distributed copies of Unheard Voices of the Boychild, launched at its 2025 summit, to encourage students to understand the experiences and challenges confronting boys.
In addition, GAIYD donated boards and markers to selected schools to improve teaching and learning.
As part of activities marking the International Day of the Boychild, the organisation organised football and athletics competitions between April 23 and May 16.
The events attracted 641 boys from eight schools and featured football matches alongside 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre races.
Akpua said the competitions sought to promote teamwork, discipline, confidence and sportsmanship among participants.
The campaign reached its climax at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on May 16. Nine schools, 18 teachers and coaches, and three media organisations participated in the final activities.
He said the campaign reached 49,151 people through physical engagements, online platforms and other activities. However, the organisation’s year-end assessment put its total direct and indirect beneficiaries at more than 49,585.
Akpua said GAIYD would extend its programmes to additional states and schools in 2027, with a target of doubling its reach.
At the event, keynote speaker, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, called for a change in Nigeria’s approach to leadership, urging citizens to embrace tolerance, fairness and respect for others.
Speaking on the theme, “Raising Responsible Leaders, Building Sustainable Nations”, Ikechukwu said leadership depended more on influence and the ability to make meaningful contributions than on titles or official positions.
“Leadership is not about whether you have a title or whether you are heading an office. Even self-leadership is a form of leadership,” he said.
He identified cultural, religious and personal prejudices as major obstacles to responsible leadership. He urged Nigerians to recognise their biases and avoid imposing them on others.
Ikechukwu also called for the upbringing of boys and girls with values that encourage mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He warned against gender stereotypes that could limit their development.
He challenged young Nigerians to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous generations, particularly corruption and the abuse of public office.
The professor further stressed that nation-building should not rest solely on political officeholders. He urged citizens to contribute to national development through responsible conduct in their communities.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, linked responsible leadership to the fight against corruption.
Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Aisha Muhammad, said sustainable development could not thrive where financial crimes and indiscipline persisted.
He said the commission’s experience showed that many financial crimes originated from a breakdown of values.
According to him, the EFCC’s mandate goes beyond arresting and prosecuting offenders to preventing corruption through public enlightenment and early reorientation.
He identified integrity education, financial discipline and deterrence as essential measures for developing responsible leaders.
Olukoyede said the commission had established Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, as well as Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions, to promote honesty and accountability among young Nigerians.
He urged young people to reject internet fraud, Ponzi schemes and other get-rich-quick practices in favour of legitimate earnings, savings and financial discipline.
“The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. In your homes, in your classrooms, in your social media spaces, and in your communities, you are already leading,” he said.
He commended GAIYD for promoting integrity, civic responsibility and community development among young people. He also expressed the EFCC’s willingness to partner with organisations advancing such values.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Mainasara Kogo Umar, identified money politics, weak ideological foundations and divisive sentiments as major threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
Umar lamented that political parties had increasingly become platforms for personal interests rather than organisations driven by clear ideologies and policy programmes.
He said frequent defections among politicians reflected a lack of ideological commitment. He also noted that the high cost of nomination forms continued to discourage wider participation in the political process.
The tribunal chairman criticised vote-buying and the distribution of material gifts to influence voters. He said economic hardship had made many Nigerians vulnerable to such practices.
He urged citizens to prioritise national unity, peace and development when making political choices, stressing that sustainable democracy required accountability from both leaders and the electorate.
Other speakers included Imran Hassan and Mrs Hauwa Aminu Wambai, while Ms Oma Favour Igboanua served as discussion lead.
The awards ceremony also recognised individuals and organisations for contributions to youth development, community service, leadership and boychild advocacy.
Among the recipients, HRH Queen Haukawulu Adamu Ibrahim received the Community Development Advocate and Champion for Gender Equality and Justice Award.
HRH Alhaji Dr Usman Nga-Kupi received the Champion of Education and Cultural Preservation Award, while Engr. Frank Nwike emerged as Outstanding Organisation of the Year.
Chief Eleduma Gbenga Abiodun received the Humanitarian of the Year Award, while Mr Samuel Biboye Luwei won Entrepreneur of the Year.
Dr Hassan’s Hospital received the GAIYD Legacy Award, while Mr Salihu Abdulahmed Dembos was honoured for Outstanding Leadership in Broadcasting.
Other awardees included Mr Okeke Chidozie, Africa’s Trailblazer of the Year; Mr David Ogidinta, Youth Mentor of the Year; and Mrs Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Mental Health Advocate of the Year.
GAIYD acknowledged the support of the NDLEA, EFCC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hillak Holdings, Rockbase Developers, Homadil Reality, Dr Hassan’s Hospital, Heladi Prime Limited, De Ace Cribs, Etazuma M&I, Boys2Men Coaching and Mentoring, Neovantage Foundation, Vinael Wines and other partners.
