Odushu Foundation, Alerte Universal Unveil Boy Child Blueprint, Advocate Greater Support for Boys

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The Odushu Foundation, in partnership with Alerte Universal and the United Nations, has unveiled a new framework aimed at promoting the development, mentorship, and emotional well-being of boys.

Tagged “The Boy Child Blueprint: Character and Purpose,” the initiative was unveiled at an event held recently at the Glass House, University of Lagos.

The summit, which marked its maiden edition, brought together educators, mentors, youth advocates, parents, and students to address concerns surrounding the growing neglect of the boy child in contemporary society.

Throughout the event, speakers emphasized the need to intentionally raise boys with strong values, a sense of purpose, and emotional intelligence in order to build a safer, more balanced, and progressive society.

Founder of The Odushu Foundation, Karinate Odushu, explained that the initiative was born out of a desire to close what he described as a significant gap in advocacy efforts.

According to him, while campaigns and interventions supporting the girl child have gained considerable attention over the years, the needs of boys have not received equal focus. He warned that the consequences of neglecting the boy child could eventually affect society as a whole.

“A boy who is not properly mentored today may become a challenge for society tomorrow,” he said. “That is why we have come up with this blueprint centred on character and purpose.”

Odushu stressed that helping boys understand their identity and life purpose should be a priority. He noted that the physical and social advantages often associated with boys should be directed toward service, protection, and positive societal contributions rather than violence, oppression, or abuse.

He maintained that character remains the bedrock of responsible leadership and productive citizenship, adding that the future of society depends significantly on how boys are raised and prepared for adulthood.

Beyond academic education, Odushu advocated mentorship and practical skills acquisition. He expressed concern over the growing dependence on white-collar jobs and urged parents, guardians, and institutions to equip boys with skills that encourage self-reliance and economic empowerment.

He also drew attention to what he described as the emotional neglect of many boys.

“Many boys are told not to cry because they are expected to be strong,” he said. “When emotions are suppressed for too long, they can manifest in unhealthy ways, including violence. Parents and guardians must pay attention to the emotional needs of boys and create safe spaces where they can express themselves.”

Also speaking, the founder of Alerte Universal, Dr. James Useghan, said the collaboration was inspired by a shared commitment to improving the welfare and development of boys.

According to him, although significant efforts have been made to address issues affecting girls, there is an urgent need to provide boys with similar opportunities to seek guidance and support.

He noted that while girls are often encouraged to report abuse and other concerns, boys frequently lack adequate platforms through which they can express themselves.

Dr. Useghan, a United Nations Peace Ambassador, described the initiative as a proactive intervention designed to address challenges before they escalate.

He disclosed that several panellists and resource persons who participated in the event had agreed to mentor young boys through The Odushu Foundation.

“Our goal is to ensure that young boys have access to positive role models who can guide them in life and help them make informed decisions,” he said.

Founder and Managing Director of Growtheon, Eric Okomado, described the situation facing the boy child as a societal challenge requiring urgent attention.

He argued that while considerable resources have been invested in empowering girls, insufficient attention has been given to the character development and moral upbringing of boys.

According to him, the absence of proper guidance has contributed to the rise of violence, fraud, and other social vices among some young men.

Okomado urged fathers to become more intentional in raising their sons and instilling values that would help shape them into responsible adults.

“The father must be a father indeed and not merely a parent,” he said. “We must focus on the process of building character rather than simply celebrating outcomes.”

He added that boys must understand their purpose and align their actions with values such as integrity, responsibility, and service.

Guest speaker Moyinoluwa Olutayo delivered a passionate address on intentional parenting and character formation.

She urged fathers not to delegate their responsibilities, stressing that active fatherhood plays a critical role in raising responsible young men.

“The society no longer needs boys who are merely good; it needs men of noble character,” she said.

Olutayo emphasized that character training should begin early and challenged parents and guardians to correct negative behaviour rather than excuse it.

She further called for a redefinition of masculinity beyond physical strength, dominance, and emotional suppression.

“The boy child of today will become the leader of tomorrow,” she said. “If we fail to train him properly, the consequences will be evident in the future leadership of our communities and institutions.”

She also warned against a future where untrained boys are expected to build healthy relationships and partnerships with educated and empowered women, describing such a situation as harmful to societal progress.

Another member of the organising team, Shodayo Olorunshogo, said the initiative was designed to promote balance in child development advocacy.

“Both the boy child and the girl child are important to society and neither can do without the other,” he said. “Our goal is to inspire boys to become responsible citizens and positive ambassadors who contribute meaningfully to society.”

The programme also provided an avenue for young participants to share their experiences and lessons learned.

One of the attendees, Showunmi Alameen Ajayi, a student of Ajayi Crowther Memorial Senior Grammar School, said the event encouraged him to remain disciplined, focused, and resilient in pursuing his goals.

“The boy child should not allow bad grades or challenges to determine his future,” he said. “We must continue to educate ourselves, work hard and invest in our growth if we want to achieve greater heights.”

A major highlight of the summit was the presentation of scholarship awards to outstanding students.

The Odushu Foundation awarded scholarships worth N1 million each to two medical students in recognition of their academic excellence.

The beneficiaries were Fidelis Angela Omowero, a 200-level Medicine and Surgery student of the University of Benin with a CGPA of 4.83 on a 5.0 scale, and Oladele Adeola David, a 200-level Medicine and Surgery student of the University of Lagos with a CGPA of 4.68 on a 5.0 scale.

As the event drew to a close, organisers expressed optimism that the initiative would grow into a sustained movement dedicated to raising responsible, emotionally healthy, and purpose-driven young men capable of making meaningful contributions to society.