By David Torough, Abuja

Stakeholders at the commemoration of the International Day of the Boy Child on Saturday in Abuja called on young boys across the country to embrace integrity, discipline and responsible conduct as essential values for nation building.

The event, organised by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD), was themed “Boys for Integrity – Raising Sons Who Build, Not Break, the Nation.

This year’s celebration was marked with a grassroots football competition among schools from the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, an initiative organisers said was designed to promote mentorship, discipline and positive engagement among boys through sports.

The tournament, which kicked off in April at New Nyanya, Nasarawa State, ended with its final match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, President of GAIYD, Hillary Akpua, said the organisation began its advocacy several years ago out of concern that the boy child had been largely ignored in conversations surrounding child development.

According to him, the group has consistently pushed for greater attention to the emotional, moral and social development of boys.

“It’s a journey that we started with friends and today we are almost five years,” he said.

Akpua noted that the organisation deliberately adopted football this year instead of essay competitions used in previous editions because of the sport’s ability to unite people and attract wider participation among young boys.

“Football brings nations together, football brings communities together, football brings families together,” he said.

He stressed that the central message of the programme was to encourage boys to grow with integrity and responsibility.

“Our message is very clear: let the voice of the boy child be heard,” he stated.

He added that raising responsible boys was critical to building a stable society.

“We talk about the girl child, but without a good boy child, I don’t think there would be a better girl child,” he added.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, said integrity must become a defining identity for young boys if Nigeria hopes to build a corruption-free future.

According to him, society must stop promoting the false idea that manhood is defined by toughness or the ability to cut corners.

“Real manhood is measured by character when no one is watching,” he said.

The EFCC chairman who was represented at the event by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation at the commission,
Assistant Commander Aisha Mohammed, warned that corruption often begins with small dishonest acts among children and youths.

“A boy who cheats in an exam today is training himself to steal from the public tomorrow,” he stated.

He also urged teachers, parents and mentors to deliberately teach integrity rather than assume boys would naturally learn it on their own.

“We are not here to talk about what boys lack. We are here to talk about what boys carry; strength, potential, creativity and the capacity to shape the future of Nigeria,” he said.

Olukoyede further disclosed that the commission had established integrity clubs in primary and secondary schools and zero-tolerance clubs in tertiary institutions as part of efforts to build ethical values among young Nigerians.

On the football pitch, Winning Ways Academy emerged champions after defeating GSS Bakin Ado 5–3 on penalties following a thrilling 2–2 draw in regulation time.

The encounter drew cheers from supporters and participants who filled parts of the stadium for the final showdown.

Captain of Winning Ways Academy, Praise Amos, described the victory as a memorable moment for the team.

“I feel so excited right now. This is the first time winning my first trophy,” he said.

He commended the organisers for creating an opportunity for young players to showcase their talents while learning important life values.

On his part, GSS Bakin Ado player, Prosper Saibu, said although the defeat was painful, his team remained proud of reaching the final.

“It’s not good that we lost, but it’s a game. One team must win,” he said.

He added that the team would work harder and return stronger in future competitions.

The competition featured eight schools including Winning Ways Academy, GSS Bakin Ado, Bill Clinton College, Mon Dieu Montessori Academy, GSS Nyanya Gbagyi and others.

Organisers said the initiative would be expanded in future editions as part of efforts to continue using sports and mentorship to positively shape the lives of young boys across communities.

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Nasarawa State chapter, has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against what it described as the marginalisation of Christians in the distribution of senatorial tickets in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday YOWICAN expressed displeasure over developments surrounding the APC primaries for the Nasarawa South Senatorial District, alleging that a Christian aspirant who was leading in the contest was being unfairly treated despite the official results yet to be announced.

The statement, jointly signed by the State Secretary of YOWICAN, Engr. Peter Abimiku Esla, and the State Chairman, Attah Michael Abashi, Ph.D, warned against any attempt to alter the outcome of the exercise.

“We are saddened with the turnout of events especially with the APC party primaries for the Nasarawa Southern Senatorial Zone where one of our own is being treated with scorn even when he has demonstrated good leadership by maintaining a steady lead in the just concluded primaries whose results are yet to be announced,” the group stated.

The Christian body said it would resist any move aimed at subverting what it called the will of party members and electorates in the Southern Zone.

“We wish to state categorically clear that any attempt to subvert the will of the electorates in the Southern Zone of the State will be met with stiff resistance. We cannot sit and watch the ruling party deliberately scheming out our members who have served the party diligently over the years. This is unacceptable and we reject it in totality,” the statement added.

The group called on the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the state leadership of the party to ensure fairness and religious balance in the allocation of senatorial tickets.

According to YOWICAN, two of the three senatorial tickets in the state had already gone to Muslim candidates, insisting that the Nasarawa South ticket should be given to a Christian aspirant in the interest of equity.

“Already, two of the three tickets have been given to Muslim candidates and we demand that the remaining one, that is, the Southern Zone, be given to a Christian aspirant,” the statement said.

The group further warned that any contrary decision could send a wrong signal to Christians across the state ahead of future political engagements.

“Any attempt to do the contrary will mean that the party has set itself against the teeming Christians in Nasarawa State and we will respond accordingly,” it warned.

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