By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says that boys are often primary targets for recruitment into non-state armed groups and other purveyors of violence.
Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Affairs, Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, stated this at the event organised by the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child, on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme for the 2025 celebration is, “Celebrating Boys: Empowering and Nurturing Our Future Leaders”.
He said the boys were sometimes seen as experimentable assets in conflicts and criminal enterprises, adding that they were often robbed of their innocence and forced into lives of brutality and despair.
He said the event served as a crucial reminder of the unique place and potential of the boy child in the society, and the imperative need to focus collective attention on their well-being, development, and protection.
“In many parts of our country, the boy child faces significant educational disadvantages, contributing to the challenge of out-of-school children.
“Factors such as economic hardship, cultural norms that prioritise early-labor over-schooling and insecurity in conflict-affected regions disproportionately impact boys’ access to education.
“Without foundational education and skills, these boys are left vulnerable, increasing their risk of falling into poverty, engaging in illicit activities, or becoming susceptible to recruitment by criminal organisations, bandits or extremist groups, who exploit their lack of opportunity and sense of marginalisation.
“Furthermore, boys are often primary targets for recruitment into non-state armed groups, polls, and other purviews of violence,” he said.
The CDS said the nation’s strength was not solely measured by its military might or economic indices, but by the quality, character, and resilience of its people.
According to him, the foundation of this strength is therefore laid in the formative years of our children, particularly the boy child.
He said the specific challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the boy child had for too long, not received the commensurate attention they deserved.
According to him, while significant and necessary focus has been placed on empowering the boy child, of course we, as the armed forces of Nigeria, fully support and champion.
“We must acknowledge that the boy child also faces distinct pressures, expectations, and threats that can impede positive development and the potential to contribute meaningfully to our society.
“Our young boys are growing up in a complex and rapidly changing world.
“They are navigating societal expectations that often place immense pressure on them to be providers, strong and stoic, sometimes at the expense of their emotional well-being.
“They are exposed to various influences, both positive and negative, through traditional channels and increasingly through the digital space, that is, social media,” he added.
Musa said that efforts must be doubled down to ensure every boy, had access to quality and relevant education from basic literacy to advanced skills in arts, sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as vocational training.
He said that education equips them with the recruited knowledge and critical training skills necessary to navigate the complexities of their modern world, resist negative influences, and contribute to the economy.
In her remarks, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, emphasised the need for the boy child to be properly nurtured so as to have future responsible men.
Mrs Musa said the society could not afford to raise future leaders in emotional silence, adding that there was need to examine the boys to understand how they were being built and shaped to become confident, respectful and compassionate men.
She said it was wrong to allow violence, pressure, and rigid expectations to become their teachers, saying that even though boys love freedom, they also crave guidance, affirmation, and purpose.
“Let us not wait until they are broken before we teach them how to heal.
“This celebration is part of a bigger vision to create safe space, leadership platforms, and mentorship for boys across Nigeria’s defence and police communities.
“Boys don’t just become men, they become the men we show them how to be.
“From mental health awareness, to academic excellence, to emotional intelligence, we are committed to raising balanced, bold and brilliant young men,”she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of the Boy Child was introduced on May 16, 2018 to complement the International Day of the Girl Child being celebrated on Oct. 11.
The event had in attendance, boys from the military and police schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who were exposed to a series of mentoring and empowerment by different professionals. (NAN)
