By Angela Atabo
A former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to the welfare and development of the boy-child.
Aregbesola warned that continued neglect could produce serious social consequences for the country.
He spoke on Friday in Abuja as Special Guest of Honour at the maiden AfriCultural Fashion Show and Awards.
The event was organised by Global Awareness for Development Initiatives.
Delivering a lecture titled ‘Empowering the African Boy-Child,’ Aregbesola warned that neglecting boys could threaten social stability.
He noted that advocacy for the girl-child had recorded progress over the years.
However, he said similar attention must now be extended to boys facing growing social, educational and psychological challenges.
“Society expects boys to become strong and responsible men while denying them emotional and economic support necessary for healthy development.
“The boy-child floats and sinks in a society that has largely failed him but still expects him to be a good citizen and patriot,” he said.
He added that many boys from poor families shoulder responsibilities beyond their age.
“Many boys abandon education early to support their households,” Aregbesola said.
He warned that the rising number of out-of-school children posed a major threat to Nigeria’s long-term stability.
According to him, many boys roam streets in cities, hawking goods, begging for alms, or cleaning windscreens in traffic to survive.
He expressed concern that about 20 million out-of-school children were roaming villages, towns and cities across the country.
“A society with a large population of uneducated and neglected youths risks producing adults who turn to crime, drugs or migration,” he said.
Aregbesola urged citizens to hold the government accountable for providing free and quality education for every child.
He described education as a fundamental social investment essential for national development.
The former minister advocated free education from basic level to pre-degree stage.
He also called for affordable university education for the average Nigerian.
Aregbesola recalled that during his tenure as governor of Osun, several policies expanded access to education.
He said these included free schooling, daily meals for about 150,000 elementary pupils and distribution of school uniforms.
He added that large modern school facilities capable of accommodating thousands of students were also constructed.
The former governor highlighted youth empowerment initiatives such as the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme.
He said the programme created employment opportunities for many unemployed youths.
Aregbesola also noted that schools introduced character-building clubs promoting discipline, courage and integrity.
He urged Nigeria’s political and economic elites to address societal neglect urgently.
He also called on citizens to work collectively toward building a society founded on social justice and humanism.
“The future of both boys and girls must be secured to guarantee national development,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
