- Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu advocates for boy-child mentorship, skills acquisition, and character building.
- The LBCI 2025 workshop trained 200 boys on resilience, vocational skills, and mental health.
- Participants engaged with top Lagos officials, fostering leadership and empowerment.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed her commitment to the welfare and development of the boy-child, urging greater investment in mentorship, skills acquisition, and character building.
Ekohotblog gathers that speaking at the 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop, held at Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for boys to be equipped with the right mindset, values, and resilience to overcome challenges such as peer pressure, cultism, and substance abuse.
“This initiative was designed to ensure that our boys are not left behind. We must be intentional about raising well-rounded individuals by providing them with the right skills, moral values, and opportunities,” she stated.
She encouraged participants to take pride in vocational skills, noting that professions such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work are just as important as white-collar jobs.
“A well-trained artisan is as valuable as a doctor or lawyer. The dignity of labor must be embraced,” she emphasized.
The three-day workshop, themed “Empowering the Boy-Child to Be a Well-Rounded Individual for the Future,” brought together 200 boys aged 13 to 17 from diverse backgrounds, including public and private schools, orphanages, and correctional centers.
Activities included excursions, a cooking competition, and sessions on self-improvement, mental health, and drug abuse prevention.
Wale Raji Anomo, Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, also spoke at the event, urging the boys to develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
“Success is no longer just about education; it is about how well you can adapt, innovate, and contribute to society,” he noted.
Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, wife of the Lagos East Senatorial District Senator, praised the First Lady’s dedication to the boy-child’s welfare.
“Her passion for empowering boys will create a lasting impact on their lives,” she said.
The LBCI workshop officially kicked off with visits to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Kazeem Alogba, where participants engaged with top government officials.
