The Twenty-One Five Child Foundation (T1FF), a child and adolescent-focused organisation, commemorated International Boy Child Day on Friday with a call for a renewed approach to masculinity and the emotional development of boys.
The event, held at FOMWAN Hall, General Gas, Ibadan, attracted students from several secondary schools, including Bodija Ashi Baptist College, Methodist Secondary School Bodija, Loyola College, Fedmat College, Oba Akinyele Memorial School, St. Patrick Grammar School, Methodist Grammar School, Ikolaba Grammar School, Ikolaba High School, Islamic High School, and Bashorun Ojoo High School.
The programme, themed “Redefining Masculinity: Raising Responsible, Respectful and Emotionally Aware Boys,” focused on addressing societal perceptions of masculinity while promoting the emotional, mental, and developmental well-being of boys.
Speaking at the event, the founder of T1FF, Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, said the foundation was established to create balance in child-focused advocacy, noting that while significant attention has been given to the girl child in recent years, boys also require structured mentorship, emotional support, and guidance to succeed.
Taiwo reiterated the organisation’s commitment to teenage mentorship and interventions for adolescents facing early pregnancy challenges. She stressed the importance of early sex education, parental communication, abstinence, and proper guidance for young people.
She further reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to sustained mentorship and youth development, emphasizing that equal investment in boys and girls is essential to building a balanced and functional society.
Delivering the keynote address, Engineer Kayode Adamolekun shared personal experiences from his life journey and urged participants to embrace responsibility and character development, noting that the upbringing of boys has far-reaching implications for society.
Adamolekun challenged conventional stereotypes of masculinity, arguing that aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression are wrongly associated with manhood. According to him, true masculinity is rooted in discipline, respect, self-control, accountability, and maturity.
He also advised students to avoid destructive environments and take responsibility for their future, stressing that past mistakes should not determine one’s destiny.
As part of his contribution to the programme, Adamolekun pledged a sum of N1.5 million to support indigent students.
During an interactive session, Dr. Michael, a medical doctor and mental health advocate, highlighted the importance of emotional expression among young people. He warned that suppressing emotions could lead to harmful coping mechanisms, including addiction, and encouraged students to seek support whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Also speaking, popular entertainer and Chief Executive Officer of PERA, Mr. Rotimi Martins, popularly known as Alariwo of Africa, encouraged students to build healthy relationships with their parents and maintain open communication within their families. He also stressed the importance of discipline, focus, and structured sex education.
Alariwo of Africa further announced opportunities for aspiring actors and comedians among the students present at the event, urging interested participants to develop their talents and remain committed to their goals.
In his remarks, Hon. Akinsete Olakunle said boys are often emotionally neglected in society and called for more intentional programmes that provide safe spaces for emotional expression, mentorship, and personal development.
Representatives of the Ministries of Education and Health also expressed support for the initiative.
Mrs. F. A. Ademuyiwa of the Ministry of Education acknowledged the historical focus on the girl child but stressed the need to address the emotional and social challenges facing boys. Similarly, Mrs. Sefiu Kafilat of the Ministry of Health commended T1FF for its intervention in youth mental health awareness.
The event ended with a collective call for a redefinition of masculinity anchored on responsibility, respect, discipline, emotional intelligence, and integrity rather than emotional suppression.
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