In an effort to address critical issues affecting the boy child, stakeholders in the security and education sectors have called for proper upbringing of the boys, for them to become the agent of change Nigeria required.
They stated this in Ibadan while speaking at the opening ceremony of a five-day boot camp for boys between the ages of 11 and 19 years, organized by Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, in partnership with Ayo Fatokun Foundation, Uncle Sele and Better Men Initiatives
The boot camp with the theme “Equipping Boys for the Digital and Sustainable Future,” aimed at empowering young minds, selected from government owned secondary schools in Ibadan, with the tools they need to succeed in life.
Oyo state commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Martins Bamigboye revealed that the recent arrest of young boys between ages 17 and 19 years for fraudulent activities in the state was alarming, attributing reasons for the trend to broken homes.
CP Sonubi cautioned the boys against cultism, drug abuse and joining of unlawful gathering, noting that anyone involved in such behavior becomes prey to untimely death.
He said “if you join cult groups, be ready to die anytime, they kill each other at will, don’t join cultism, it will shorten your life span. I want to implore you to be law abiding, I want to warn you against joining unlawful gathering or riot, sponsors of protests are usually out of reach or out of the country but they expose you to danger”
While admonishing the adolescents against bad influence or peer pressure, head of cyber security, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr. Ayo Anjorin who cited statistics from the Nigeria Correctional Service data said out of the 85 thousand offenders in the correctional facilities, 83,000 are men.
Mr. Anjorin challenged the children to prioritize competence, integrity, excellence, urging them to strive to become successful through legal means.
In his contributions, Oyo state commissioner for Education Science and technology, Professor Saliu Adelabu, represented by Mr. Azeez said the boot camp for the adolescents was in alignment with the vision of the present administration in the state to empower the younger generations who are the future leaders.
In his goodwill message, the vice chairman, Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo state council, Mr. Seye Ojo appealed to the boys not to allow peer pressure or join others to commit crime, rather remained resolute to be good ambassadors of their families.
Earlier in an address, chairman on the occassion who is the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, represented by Senior Apostle Kingsley Soremi advised parents to be committed to the empowerment of the children by engaging them in profitable self development activities that would better their lives.
Convener of the five-day forge camp and executive director, Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile said the annual programme which is the second edition will provide the boys with essential life skills, personal development sessions, and opportunities that will inspire, educate, and empower them for leadership growth.
HOSEC Forge Camp 2.0: Stakeholders Stresses Need For Empowerment Of Boy Child#HOSECFoundation #Bootcamp pic.twitter.com/x3FSWgaZwJ
— News Arena NG (@newsarena_ng) August 28, 2024
Otesile who attributed the increasing level of crimes among boys to the shift in the attention that should be given to the boy child expressed the need for the society to also take the care of boys seriously.
The child rights advocate called on Oyo state government and other non governmental organizations to replicate such gesture in other parts of the state to ensure boys also get the required empowerment to become better citizens.
Well done sirs and mas