The federal government has urged stakeholders to come together to mentor boy-children, enabling them to become responsible, productive, and value-driven members of society, according to the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, in a keynote address marking the 2025 International Day of the Boy-Child in Abuja.
The theme for this year’s celebration was, “Grooming the Boy-Child and Leveraging Mentorship for Leadership and Governance.”
The minister pointed out that modern society is faced with a critical challenge: many fathers and male role models are not actively involved in the lives of their sons, often due to time constraints, which can hinder the emotional and moral development of boys.
Comrade Olawande emphasized that mentorship plays a vital role in a boy-child’s development by providing the necessary guidance, counsel, and encouragement for them to grow into confident and capable future leaders.
He noted that, “without positive role models, our boys may lack the values and life skills required to thrive in society,” emphasising the importance of helping boys to navigate academic pressures, societal expectations, and personal challenges through intentional guidance and support systems.
He believes that the boy-child plays a crucial role in our society, and therefore, it is our shared responsibility to offer opportunities for growth and empowerment, regardless of their background or financial situation.
