Amid growing concerns over youth challenges, including drug abuse, poor values and limited guidance for young people, the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) has called for greater attention to the development of the boychild.
The organisation said it reached 49,585 direct and indirect beneficiaries in 2026 through its boychild advocacy and youth development programmes, with interventions covering 37 schools across three states.
GAIYD President, Dr Hillary Akpua, said the initiative was established to address challenges affecting boys and prepare them to become responsible members of society.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Great Achievers Awards 2026 in Abuja, Akpua said the organisation believes that investing in boys would contribute to stronger families and a better society.
“We found out that our society is going through a lot of challenges, and we believe that if there is a better boychild, there will be a better family. If there is a better family, there is going to be a better society,” he said.
He explained that GAIYD began its boychild advocacy campaign in 2021 before it was formally registered in 2023, with a focus on providing guidance, mentorship and support for young boys.
According to him, the organisation has sustained school sensitisation programmes, community engagements and parental programmes to help boys develop positive values and make responsible decisions.
Akpua said GAIYD engaged 435 students and 33 teachers in secondary schools in Nasarawa and Niger states on issues such as drug abuse, mental health, personal hygiene, responsibility and positive decision-making.
The sensitisation programmes were carried out with support from partners, including officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse.
Beyond classroom engagements, GAIYD also used sports as a tool for youth development by organising football and athletics competitions involving 641 boys from eight schools.
The initiative distributed more than 4,300 copies of its book, Unheard Voices of the Boychild, and provided learning materials to five schools to support education.
Akpua said the organisation’s activities, including direct engagements and online platforms, reached 49,151 people, while its overall direct and indirect beneficiaries stood at more than 49,585 in 2026.
He announced plans to expand the initiative’s programmes to more states and schools in 2027, with a target of doubling its impact.
Speaking at the event, Professor Okey Ikechukwu stressed the need to raise young people with values that promote responsibility, tolerance and respect for others.
Ikechukwu, who spoke on the theme, “Raising Responsible Leaders, Building Sustainable Nations,” said leadership was not about occupying positions but about making meaningful contributions to society.
“Leadership is not about whether you have a title or whether you are heading an office. Even self-leadership is a form of leadership,” he said.
He warned against gender stereotypes and urged Nigerians to raise both boys and girls with values that encourage peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
The professor also challenged young Nigerians to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous generations, including corruption and abuse of public positions.
Meanwhile, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said building responsible leaders was closely linked to the fight against corruption, adding that many financial crimes were rooted in a failure of values.
Represented by Aisha Muhammad, Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Olukoyede urged youths to reject internet fraud, Ponzi schemes and other quick-money practices.
He said young Nigerians must embrace integrity, financial discipline and legitimate means of earning a living.
GAIYD said its continued boychild advocacy campaign would focus on empowering more young people with the values, skills and support needed to contribute positively to their families and communities.
