THE Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, in commemoration of the International Day of the Boy Child, celebrated the event through its Kings Club Initiative at some schools in the State.
The Executive Secretary DSVA, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi, who was represented by the Head of Community Engagement, Damilare Adewusi, said the May 16 International Day of the Boy Child was specifically themed “Boys Cry Too” to create awareness on the need to draw more attention to the boy child, focus on their well-being, and their need to feel happy, healthy, and valued within family and community.
The Day was founded in 2018 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a university lecturer from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In a letter to government leaders and NGOs, Teelucksingh said, "On the media, there are regular incidents in which young, misguided boys and teenagers are involved in crime and violence.
"If a boy child is neglected or fed a diet of hate and violence, it is obvious he will develop into a teenager who is misguided and confused. There is an urgent need to focus on the home and school in order to save the boy child."
The representatives of the Agency were at various schools in the State to give talks on mental health; they were at Agidingbi Grammar School, Ojodu Junior High School, Babs Fafunwa Memorial Senior Secondary School, Ikeja Junior College, Bolade Junior Grammar School, Unity Junior High School, Immaculate Senior High School, and Mende Junior/Senior High School.
The Agency stressed the importance of equipping the boy child by parents, guardians, and teachers in various communities and schools as this would have a greater impact in the nearest future.
