In a groundbreaking move to foster healthy masculinity, the Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria has launched a Boys Club, aiming to nurture young men into respectful, responsible, and empowered individuals.
The Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye emphasized the importance of guiding boys toward values of respect, emotional intelligence, and gender sensitive young men.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Community Grammar School, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye, emphasized the importance of guiding boys that will grow into men of timber and calibre making things work the society.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye, represented by Senior Program Manager, Mrs. Mojisola Omotoye, highlighted the mission of the Boys Club as a way to promote positive masculinity and mutual respect among young boys in secondary schools.
According to her , “we usually say it’s a man’s world, but masculinity is not about physical strength or bullying others. It is about giving value, showing respect, empathy, love, and care, and fostering positive masculinity within the community starting from school to homes and beyond,”.
She further emphasized that masculinity should not be associated with dominance and aggression. ” through this club, we want to instill positive values, teaching that true strength lies in kindness, integrity, and responsibility. We are here to build a generation of responsible, emotionally intelligent, and gender-sensitive young men,” she conluded.
The Principal of Community Grammar School, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Mrs. Adebanji Adebisi, commended the initiative, stressing the need to train boys alongside girls to ensure societal balance.”There is fire on the mountain if we keep training girls and neglecting our boys. Without guidance, these boys will grow up to disrupt and undermine the values we instill in girls,”.
She further explained that teaching boys about positive masculinity will create a collaborative effort that fosters unity, progress, and peaceful communal living. “We need a reorientation for our boys to promote positive relationships between boys and girls, which will later translate into a more unified and progressive society,”.
Mrs. Adebisi expressed gratitude to Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria for organizing a program dedicated solely to young boys, ensuring that they grow into responsible men who contribute positively to society.
The Boys Club is expected to equip young men with essential values and life skills that will help them become leaders and role models, reinforcing the idea that masculinity is defined by character rather than outdated stereotypes.
