By SDN

The world of the boy child is a peculiar one that must be given attention. This is so because neglect of the boy child is tantamount to creating a dysfunctional society where the untrained boy would become a threat to the trained girl, and society in general.

This, among others necessitates the call for concerted attention for the boy child and for which May 16 was initiated as the World Day of the Boy Child (WDBC) by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago. The WDBC is also widely acknowledged as the International Boys Day, a day to celebrate the positivity of boys and proffer solutions to myriad of challenges being faced by boys and adolescent males globally.

The 2025 theme: “Building Self Esteem in Boys: Stand up, Be heard , Be seen,” is coming at the heels of neglect and vulnerability of boys in the society.

As part of activities commemorating the WDBC, Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD) joined the rest of the world to bring to the fore, issues affecting the boy child and providing solutions to some of the identified problems. ISISD in collaboration with Igbobi College Yaba Parents Teachers Association (ICY-PTA) organised capacity building programme for the students on the need to protect and enhance their self esteem.

According to Teelucksingh, the occasion gives the opportunity to put boys at the front burner and generate discussions into solving those issues for the boy child to fulfill potential in the society.

“Today, many boys are out of school serving as cheap labour at mines sites, factories as a result of poverty. In crisis situations, boys and adolescent males are used as children soldiers. Some of them suffer sexual abuse, depressed and suicidal. As a result of neglect, lack of positive male role model, many engage in social vices that are inimical to their mental, physical and psychological growth”, Teelucksingh noted.

According to the Principal, Igbobi College Yaba, Reverend Adedotun Akanbi, boys learn from what they see their fathers do at home and the same mentality is what they bring to the society.

“There is need for the boy child to learn virtues from home. The school system must also support boys educational and emotional needs. Boys must learn to respect the opposite gender. When boys learn values and leadership, I think they are ready,” he said.

In the same vein, ICY-PTA Chairman, Dr. Abiodun Makinde said character is important for the boy child to succeed in life and affect the society positively. “Children learn from home and it is what they learn from home that they bring to schools and society. Parents must strive to instil good characters in boys for them to succeed in life endeavours.’

Speaking on the theme, Educational Consultant, Mrs. Franca Okpiaifo said self esteem is a person’s self worth and the total value one places on self. She advised participants that it is important for them to know who they are which will help them in life journey.

“Self esteem defines your self confidence.
Stand up means knowing who you are. You don’t have to feel it, you know it without any doubt. When you stand up for something, you will be seen and heard,” she said.

She identified five things that would help participants to build their self esteem including “know who you are, define your purpose; have definite values; be the best version of you; do not be afraid of you (Your best version); do not allow other people, peers, social media to define you.”

In his address, Mr.Jide Sanwo, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Revenue and also an alumnus of the college urged the boys to prioritise purposeful living over social vices.

He explained that boys must learn to live a purposeful life and be able to identify those better than them in a particular subject and learn from them.

“You must shun examination malpractices. When you cheat and get to the top you find it difficult to perform, you can’t stay up there if you don’t have good foundation.

“There’s nothing as good as putting your hope in God. Let’s shun social vices. Run away from cultism, drugs, cybercrime and the rest that won’t add any value to you,” he admonished.

Similarly, Evangelist Temilolu Okeowo also advised the boys to shun any immoral behaviour and make their studies a priority.

“You have no business in getting into romantic affairs in your teens. Shut your heads to those lewd lyrics, pornography. Your studies must be your priority now,” she warned.

ISISD Coordinator and WDBC Ambassador, Mrs. Funmi Falobi said boys and adolescent males face a lot of challenges world over and the need to address such for better society.

“As we commemorate the 2025 World Day of the Boy Child, governments, organisations, institutions, families and communities must come together and discuss ways to make life better for the boy child. Governments must come up with policies that would protect boys and adolescent males in order to achieve potential,” she advised.

She declared that the boy child must not be left behind but policy must be inclusive to cater for his physical, mental and psychological needs for a saner and peaceful society.

Commending the programme, one of the participants, Pelumi Adegboyega, an SS2 student said they learnt the importance of self esteem. “Without self esteem it is almost impossible to go far in life. If you’re not confident in yourself you find it difficult to progress and make decision.”

There was book presentation by Mr. Sanmi Falobi to the school. There was also film show to drive home the essence of self esteem for the boys.

WDBC (or International Boys Day) was inaugurated in 2018 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh a University Lecturer in Trinidad and Tobego,
and in 2025 it was observed in 36 countries. WDBC serves as a platform for individuals, organisations, and institutions to improve the manner in which we protect our boys and reclaim our heritage.