Yesterday, the global community marked the International Day of the Boy Child. For me, it was a day of sober reflection on the future of the boy child in a nation like ours, where the horrible spate of insecurity, mass abductions, hunger, and inadequate investment in health and education constantly jeopardise the lives and futures of our children.
It is generally believed that our children are the leaders of tomorrow, and rightly so. However, one wonders how our children will lead society tomorrow if we fail to secure their lives and future today. From severe hunger and malnutrition to a lack of basic education and primary healthcare; from worsening levels of insecurity and mass abductions to alarming rates of moral decadence in society—the boy child faces numerous existential challenges from birth.
For him to become a responsible and productive member of society, the boy child must be given a sound basic education, empowered with productive skills, and mentored with the right progressive values that help build a better society.
In the words of Frederick Douglass: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” We must stop the neglect and abuse we unleash on our boy children and begin to secure their lives and invest in their future for the sake of our collective future as a nation. As I have always maintained, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow.
And to every boy child out there: do not give up on your dreams. We are on a journey toward building a nation that not only secures your life and invests in your future, but also helps you grow and fuels your dreams so that you can embrace global opportunities that match your talents and aspirations.
Happy International Day of the Boy Child.
A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO
