Concern over the growing involvement of young people in oil theft, cultism, substance abuse and other social vices has renewed calls for deliberate investment in the boy child as a strategy for securing lasting peace and development in the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders made the case in Port Harcourt during the 2026 Day of the Boy Child celebration, arguing that mentorship, education and value reorientation remain critical to preventing vulnerable boys from drifting into criminality and other anti-social activities.

Held simultaneously across the nine Niger Delta states under the theme, “Flourish and Thrive: Investing in Boys for Stronger Families and Communities,” the initiative brought together over 120 boys from more than 10 secondary schools in Rivers State for mentorship sessions focused on leadership, discipline, life skills and responsible citizenship.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, said empowering boys with the right values and opportunities was essential to building stronger families and more peaceful communities.

Represented by the Director of Social Services, Jeremiah Oritselolone, Ogbuku said the commission was prioritising human capital development as a cornerstone of sustainable development across the region.

According to him, the programme reflects a collective responsibility to nurture boys into responsible, confident and productive young men capable of contributing positively to their families, communities and the nation.

He said the initiative, being implemented across the commission’s nine mandate states, seeks to promote education, mentorship, leadership, positive values and life skills that would prepare participants for meaningful roles in society.

He urged the students to embrace the lessons from the programme, remain disciplined, pursue excellence and aspire to become leaders of integrity and positive change.

Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Patience Ezugu, described the Day of the Boy Child as a strategic intervention designed to promote the healthy development of boys across the Niger Delta.

She said deliberate investment in the education, health, mentorship and character formation of boys was necessary to ensure they realised their full potential in a safe and supportive environment.

According to Ezugu, the commission has continued to implement programmes that strengthen human capital development and equip young people with the knowledge, values and life skills required to emerge as future leaders and agents of positive change.

Executive Director of Hope Raisers Global Foundation, Angonimi David-Imeh, whose organisation partnered in hosting the programme, said the event addressed a demographic whose developmental challenges are often overlooked.

While acknowledging the gains made in promoting opportunities for girls, she stressed that similar intentional efforts were needed to guide boys through the increasing social pressures confronting them.

She identified substance abuse, cultism, crime, digital misinformation and the absence of positive role models among the challenges threatening the future of many young boys, noting that addressing them requires sustained collaboration and investment.

David-Imeh said the initiative aligns with her organisation’s mission of raising a generation of responsible and value-driven young people equipped to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

She added that the foundation remains committed to restoring hope, building capacity and creating opportunities for vulnerable children and underserved communities.

The event also featured presentations by renowned youth development advocates from across West Africa, including Ghanaian award-winning film animator and Founder of AnimaxFYB Studios, Francis Y. Brown; Founder of The BoyChild Support Network, Irimiagah Paul Gibson; and Founder of Innocent MINDS Institute for Behavioural Architecture, Innocent Usar.

The speakers engaged participants on issues ranging from leadership and personal development to responsible decision-making, while encouraging them to resist negative influences and become positive ambassadors for their communities.