By Felicia Imohimi

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) on Tuesday stressed the need to support men in embracing positive masculinity to reduce domestic violence and ensure greater participation in parenting and household responsibilities.

The Country Director of ActionAid, Andrew Mamedu, made the call at the ongoing West African Convening Positive Masculinity and Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) event.

The event held in Abuja, with the theme “Experience and Lessons in Applying Positive Masculinity in Addressing GBV in the Africa sub-region”, is in commemoration of the 2025 World Father’s Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is organised by AAN with the support of the Ford Foundation.

NAN also reports that the World Father’s Day is commemorated every third Sunday in June, and it’s a day set aside for honouring fathers, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in the society.

Mamedu explained that supporting men to embrace positive masculinity would make them emotionally healthier, stronger and more family oriented.

“Embracing positive masculinity is not just about gender justice, it’s about building happier homes, more resilient communities, and ultimately a more prosperous and peaceful Africa.

“This is because when men are free to express their full humanity, when they are not boxed in by destructive norms, the entire society benefits,” he said.

Mamedu added that the United Nations Women among other scholars have linked harmful masculinity to gender-based violence, school dropouts, depression and substance abuse.

According to him, the cultural and social norms in most African communities continue to encourage men and boys to display traits such as dominance, aggression, and emotional suppression.

“Although these traits are seen as a sign of strength, but the truth is that they frequently lead to insecurity, broken relationships, poor health and violence especially against women and girls.

“Africa rooted in peace, equity, and inclusive development cannot be built on the shaky foundation of harmful masculinities”.

Similarly, Dr Hussaini Abdu, Director of Pan-African and New Power Advocacy Office, frowned at the concept of masculinity and the prevailing conception that defined men as people who lack emotions, among others.

Abdu said that such perceptions have being promoting violence and undermining mental health of young people.

“We want to make people understand that masculinity is a constructed identity that though born as a boy, the traits are learnt through socialisation.

“So, it is important to unlearn these traits so as to become more sympathetic, engaging, expressive and less violent.

“There is need for a shift in the upbringing of children as they must be brought up in a manner that promotes mutual respect. They should share similar chores and responsibilities and be held accountable.

“When boys are taught that they are different and stronger than girls and can’t express emotions, and that they have to be aggressive and assertive, we differentiate them from girls.

“That is why we are experiencing a mental health crisis, substance abuse, and other social vices,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Deborah Coker

By Aderogba George

Dr Bridget-Torbua Igbauke, the Director-General, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ethical Political Ideology Movement, says President Tinubu has demonstrated high level of boldness and ethical conduct in his political endeavour.

She said this in Abuja during the Movement’s inaugural news conference, adding that the group would, therefore, support the re-election of Tinubu as president in 2027.

She said Tinubu had demonstrated the desire and ability to lead the country aright as never seen in the history of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the Movement was done in collaboration with another group, Good Leadership Support Organisation (GLSO).

She described Tinubu’s political ideology as a “safety net and a springboard” to help Nigerians reach greater heights in all their endeavours.

“There is nothing we cannot achieve when we set our minds to do it and do it together. The words of our great President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) are words of liberation and wisdom.

“Yesterday is history, today is action, and for our tomorrow, we have to join hands with our dear President in his Renewed Hope ethical political ideology and principles.

“The ethical political ideology and principles of our dear president is already breaking the negative status quo and redefining the paradigm of our economy for the better,’’ she said.

According to her, it is against this backdrop that the group, in collaboration GLSO is urging every Nigerian, home and abroad, to subscribe to Tinubu’s political ideology.

“The ethical political ideology and principles of our President is not a one-sided ideology.

“The President’s ideology has taken all the advantages of capitalism and socialism, bringing them to the centre of the political ideology spectrum and at the same time locking out the disadvantages of capitalism and socialism,” she said.

She drew comparison with Mr Tony Blair as British Prime Minister which, according to her recorded unquantifiable exponential growth and development both domestically and abroad.

“All we need to do, irrespective of our political party affiliation, is to walk to the fountain called the Ethical Political Ideology called the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Ethical Political Ideology and draw from it,’’ she said.

She added that under Tinubu’s administration Nigerians had experienced affordable education through NELFUND, affordable health care through health insurance and affordable medication.

Igbauke said the creation of regional development commissions, local government autonomy, stability in the oil and gas sector and creation of National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) were evidence of Tinubu’s management savvy.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne