Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Champions Boy Child Advocacy in Lagos
Meanwhile, the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has taken a firm stand in advocating for renewed attention to the boy child, calling for deliberate efforts to nurture boys’ emotional, mental, and psychological wellbeing.
Speaking at the Boy Child Conversation Conference organized by Debra’s Palace Initiative at the Pistis Conference Centre in Lekki, Dr. Sanwo-Olu urged stakeholders to champion inclusive strategies that support the balanced development of both boys and girls. “Whether they are privileged or vulnerable, boys deserve the chance to be heard, to feel, and to thrive,” she affirmed.
Since its founding in 2021, Debra’s Palace Initiative has impacted over 2,500 boys through its Boy Talk Conversation Programme, which includes mentorship, life-skills training, creative summer camps, and scholarship support. The initiative targets boys aged 13 to 17 from diverse backgrounds—including students in technical colleges, faith-based institutions, and correctional centers.
Founder and Executive Director, Mrs. Damilola Chinedu, emphasized the need to break cultural taboos that discourage emotional expression among boys. “Our work is essential because it addresses a silent crisis—boys struggling with identity, pressure, and suppressed emotions,” she explained.
Key themes discussed at the conference included emotional suppression, educational inequality, peer pressure, and toxic masculinity. Speakers called for empathetic parenting, expanded mentorship, and inclusive community-based programmes to support the holistic growth of boys.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu also stressed the importance of inclusive parenting education, urging that seminars be made accessible to all caregivers, especially those at the grassroots. “We must educate community mothers, gatekeepers, and domestic aides—everyone who plays a role in shaping young minds,” she said.
In a heartfelt message to the boys in attendance, she encouraged them to remain focused and determined. “Your background doesn’t define your future. Be intentional. Work hard. And seek mentors when in doubt.”
The event concluded with a powerful call for practical skill development, urging boys to explore trades such as carpentry, mechanics, and the arts alongside formal education to become well-rounded contributors to society.
