Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged the boy-child to re-orientate themselves toward becoming ambassadors of positive societal change.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at the Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop, with the theme: “Re-Orientating the Boy Child to Become an Ambassador”, held at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.
He said being ambassadors of societal change required discipline, leadership and a sense of responsibility.
“You have been taught leadership, mentoring, discipline and teamwork. You have lived, eaten and worked together. This is meant to be a life-changing opportunity. Do not waste it,” the governor said.
He said that boys carried unique responsibilities in society and must prepare early for adulthood, urging them to learn ways to be better fathers and better leaders of tomorrow.
“As a government, we have you in mind. We want you to be better citizens, better voices in your homes and communities,” the governor said.
No fewer than 600 boys, drawn from about 60 schools across the state, were at the four-day programme held at St. Gregory’s College.
He said that the initiative, which started four years ago with fewer than 150 participants, had grown significantly in scope and inclusiveness.
“This initiative started four years ago with less than 150 voices, and today it has grown to almost 600 voices.
“We have selected participants from about 60 public schools, private schools, special schools, faith-based schools, NGO schools. No one has been left behind,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the exposure visits to military formations and security agencies were life-changing experiences.
“Some of you entered military aircraft. Some visited warships. Some went to the Department of State Services and interacted with police officers.
“You have gone to places your parents never had the opportunity of going. Your tomorrow is certainly better than the tomorrow we had,” Sanwo-Olu said.
On the use of social media, he cautioned the boys against excesses.
“They will not tell you not to use TikTok or Snapchat, but you must use them in moderation. Social media cannot be bigger than your studies or your future,” the governor said.
He urged the participants to resist negative peer pressure, including substance abuse.
“Do not let anybody deceive you into the wrong trajectory, drinking, smoking or substance abuse. Stay out of it.
“If you are under pressure, speak up. Talk to your teachers, talk to your parents. Do not bottle things up,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also referenced the “One-Day Government” initiative introduced by the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, during her tenure as Lagos First Lady, encouraging the boys to aspire for leadership roles.
“Every year, I want to see one of you emerge as a “One-Day Governor”. With the training you have received here, you can compete and succeed,” he said.
Similarly, the wife of the governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged participants to put into practice all that they had been thought during the four-days workshop.
“I hope that in the next five years we’d see participants of this initiative leading various industries as our ambassadors,” she said .
Sanwo-Olu’s wife said that over the years, the boy-child had received inadequate attention and guidance, compared to sustained advocacy for the girl-child.
While reaffirming the importance of empowering girls, she emphasised the need for balanced mentorship and support to ensure that boys were not neglected.
Present at the workshop were the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; popular Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji and Gaise Baba.