In a recent interview during the launch of the Boys Safe Space in Epe, Kakalistiq.com reports that Mr. Owolabi Jamiu Falana, a member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, underscored the importance of fostering equity in gender advocacy. The event, held in Epe in celebration of the 2024 International Day of the Boy Child on Saturday, May 18, 2024, was themed “Eyin Ni Di Akuko: Empowering Tomorrow’s Men.”
As the keynote speaker at the event organized by Hon. Mahruf Odunare, the representative of Epe Constituency I at the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Mr. Falana, an Epe-born change enthusiast, shared his political journey. Notably, he was the youngest delegate in the 2023 APC presidential primaries and has since helped form an organization dedicated to transforming lives.
“You need to understand that while we strive to empower women, the question is, who are these women supposed to marry? Is it the boys that we are neglecting? That is why we have to balance it. We can’t clap with one hand; we need two hands to clap. So, while we are empowering the women, we need to empower the men too so that we can have an equity-based society that is not imbalanced. By empowering both men and women, we will see a reduction in the rate of separation in our homes,” he remarked.
Falana emphasized the necessity of a balanced society where both genders are equally empowered. “We cannot have a society where a significant portion of men, 49–51 percent, remain unempowered. This will create inequality and non-inclusiveness in the economy, leading to imbalance and crises in the long run. That will be a keg of gunpowder and a time bomb,” he warned.
Supporting the initiative to empower men, Falana highlighted the crucial role of parents in encouraging their children to participate in extracurricular activities, which provide practical knowledge for societal integration. He also called on the political elites in Epe to allow younger individuals to assume leadership roles. “They must not only be active in political elections but also be given responsibilities such as supervisory councillors, supervisors, secretaries to the local government, and the house of assembly posts after the election, to ensure a seamless succession plan,” he urged.
“Secondly, when you are given an opportunity, exhibit and showcase yourself. Don’t use that opportunity as a platform for you to misbehave. When you have that opportunity, use it to add value to the system. That way, the older people will be more comfortable bringing the younger ones on board. And if the younger ones are performing, others will be inspired to excel,” he advised the youth.
Addressing the broader economic challenges, Falana reassured Nigerians that the hardship resulting from the reshuffling of economic policies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would ultimately benefit the nation. Acknowledging the inherited economic difficulties, he appealed for patience, especially regarding the removal of the fuel subsidy, which he argued was necessary to avoid plunging the country into bankruptcy.
Falana’s remarks at the Boys Safe Space launch signified the importance of balanced gender empowerment, youth leadership, and patience with economic reforms for the overall development of society.
