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A non-governmental organisation, The 360° Man, has mentored hundreds of teenage boys from 36 secondary schools in Lagos and other parts of the country as part of efforts to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood.
The initiative, tagged From Boy to Role Models 3.0, focused on character development, leadership, emotional intelligence, career choices and life planning, with the aim of raising responsible, confident and purposeful men.
The programme, organised by a group of women under the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Programme, held at the weekend at St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The keynote speaker, Fela Durotoye, was joined by other resource persons, including Emmanuel Alafiatayo, Dr Baba Femi Adenuga and Segun Somefun, who shared their experiences and offered guidance to the participants.
The participating schools included Crystal International College, St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, and Distinct Star International College, Lekki, among others.
Speaking on the objectives of the initiative, Durotoye said it was designed to address the need to equip boys with the values, skills and confidence required to become responsible men.
He said the programme sought to raise boys who were confident in themselves, intentional about their choices, emotionally aware and prepared to take responsibility for their actions.
According to him, the initiative provides a platform for young boys to learn character, leadership qualities, emotional intelligence and practical life skills through interaction with accomplished individuals.
He said the future of society depended partly on the values, examples and opportunities provided for boys while they were still growing.
The programme also extended beyond Lagos, with boys from underserved communities in Kaduna participating through online streaming.
Durotoye said the virtual participation was intended to ensure that geographical location and limited opportunities did not prevent young people from accessing mentorship and positive role models.
He noted that every boy deserved access to knowledge, encouragement and opportunities to realise his potential, irrespective of his background.
The initiative also provided an opportunity for participating students to identify individuals they considered role models and explain the values they hoped to emulate.
Principal and Director of Boys’ Junior Academy, Lagos Island, Sobanke Rafiu Olalekan, commended the organisers and resource persons for investing in the development of the boys.
He said the initiative addressed an important gap in programmes designed for young people, noting that teenage boys had often been neglected in similar mentorship interventions.
Olalekan, who spoke on behalf of the management and staff of the school, said the programme would help change the narrative by exposing the students to positive influences and guidance.
Another public school principal also appreciated the organisers for providing students with an opportunity to learn outside their conventional classrooms and interact with accomplished personalities.
Some of the beneficiaries said the programme had reinforced their appreciation of the roles their parents played in shaping their lives.
Adejoye Adeboye of Crystal High School, Obalende, identified his father as his role model, saying his father’s commitment to his upbringing and academic improvement had positively influenced him.
Albert Joseph of Debous International College, Lekki, said he looked up to his mother because of her commitment to preaching the gospel and her religious devotion.
Similarly, Marvellous Osinowo of Distinct Star International College, Lekki, described his father as a hardworking, disciplined and religious man whose qualities he hoped to emulate.
Another student, Moses Oghenero Agufure, also of Distinct Star International College, said his father was his role model because of his consistent support and assistance.
Abuke Oluwakorede of Devian International College, Lekki, said he admired his mother for her courage, gentleness and commitment to his welfare.
