NGO, Stakeholders advocate Boy-child mentorship, support By Idris Katib

NGO, Stakeholders advocate Boy-child mentorship, support 

By Idris Katib 

A Non-governmental Organization, EmmanRock Enterprises, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government has advocated mentorship and support for the Nigerian Boy-child.

The Convener, Mrs Abosede Modupe Adeleye-Ojo at a one-day mentorship initiative, emphasized the need to mentor the boy child and invest in male children who eventually would transform from a son into a man, a husband, a father, a leader and a breadwinner.

Adeleye-Ojo said if the society did not invest in the Boy-child, the Girl-Child in whom so much had been invested in would end up marrying, working and living with neglected male child.

Stakeholders at the programme canvassed more attention and support for the boys to lift their performance indices in the nearest future.

In his address, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Revenue and Taxation, Hon. Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo charged who represented their schools to brace up with determination to succeed in a challenging environment.

He said despite the fact that he grew up from a humble background as "the son of a garri seller", he had promised himself to succeed and find himself at the top.

Admonishing the boys to shun bad vices whatever the circumstances, he said at age fifty "I have never tasted alcohol in my life".

He promised on behalf of the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu that efforts were ongoing to give sponsorship to a number of students who excelled in their studies. He also underlined that students should take advantage of student loan scheme instituted by President Bola Tinubu administration to further their studies in the university.

In the same vein, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development,Hon. Abubakir Mobolaji, ably represented, charged the boys to find good mentors who would positively impact their lives, stressing that there was no excuse for them not to succeed if they took their studies as number one priority.

Also speaking at the occasion, a certified human resources manager, MTN, Mr Thomas David said the programme was designed to close a generational gap focusing on guiding the young boys and admonished them " to find a mentor who has succeeded in their career".

In his lecture, a computer scientist and an entrepreneur, Mr Francis Uzor counselled the boys that he did not allow his physical challenge to defeat his purpose in life.

He said being born in Ajegunle in Lagos, physically different from other children, and attending a local public primary and secondary school, life had already knocked him four goals to zero. 

"When I graduated from the university, I was determined to establish my own business, in collaboration with my friends", Uzor had said.

Other invited speakers include the Chief Executive Officer of LightHill Group,Mr Olusegun Akinniran, Public Relations Manager of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Mr Idris Katib and Business Entrepreneur, Mrs Omotunde Dosunmu-Nestor