kakalistiq.com reports that the Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Akogun Wale Raji Anomo, has commended the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for her visionary initiative aimed at empowering the boy-child in a rapidly evolving world where female counterparts face increasing vulnerabilities such as kidnapping, ritual killings, and other tragic occurrences.
The commendation came during the commencement of a three-day residential workshop organized by the Office of the First Lady at the Lagos State Model College, Agbowa. The workshop, themed “Empowering the Boy-Child to Be a Well-Rounded Individual for the Future,” runs from Monday, 17th to Wednesday, 19th February 2025, and is designed to equip selected boys with the knowledge, skills, and moral foundation required to thrive as responsible individuals and advocates for a safer society.
Speaking in an interview at the event, Anomo lauded the First Lady’s commitment to proactive youth development, emphasizing the broader societal impact of raising well-rounded male children who can contribute meaningfully to community growth and the protection of their female counterparts.
“This initiative is timely and commendable,” Anomo stated. “As we confront societal challenges that disproportionately affect our girls, it is essential to engage and guide our boys early. By empowering them with the right values, we are building a community where mutual respect, empathy, and protection of all genders become the norm.”
The workshop features a series of interactive sessions, including excursions to educational and historical sites to broaden the participants’ horizons, cooking competitions to foster self-sufficiency, and workshops on critical issues like drug abuse prevention, mental health awareness, and personal grooming. These activities are strategically designed to nurture leadership qualities, boost self-esteem, and promote life skills essential for navigating the complexities of adulthood.
The event also saw the presence of key stakeholders, including Alhaji Wasiu Dehinsilu, Vice Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA; Hon. Hassan Mustapha, Leader of the Legislative House; Mrs. Olufunke Ogun, Principal of Lagos State Senior Model College, Agbowa; and other dignitaries committed to youth development.
Anomo highlighted the broader implications of the program, noting that raising responsible boys today will create safer communities for everyone, especially girls who have become targets of societal vices.
“The protection of the girl-child begins with the reorientation of the boy-child. When boys are taught the importance of respect, empathy, and responsibility, the entire community benefits. I am optimistic that this workshop will leave a lasting impression on the participants, inspiring them to become protectors, not predators, of the opposite gender,” Anomo concluded.
The First Lady’s initiative underpins the Lagos State Government’s dedication to holistic child development, with a clear understanding that the moral and intellectual empowerment of young boys today is an investment in a more secure, just, and prosperous society tomorrow.
As the workshop progresses, the participating boys are expected to gain not just theoretical knowledge but also practical insights into the roles they must play in fostering peaceful, inclusive, and progressive communities across the state and beyond.
