Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for urgent national attention toward the welfare, protection and development of the boy child, warning that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, poverty and poor investment in education and healthcare are putting the future of millions of children at risk.
Obi made the appeal in a message to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child, where he reflected on the growing challenges confronting children across the country and the need for society to invest more deliberately in their future.
Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, Obi said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
According to the former Anambra State governor, the global observance of the International Day of the Boy Child should not merely be symbolic but should serve as a moment of deep reflection on the realities facing young boys in Nigeria and many developing societies.
“Yesterday, the global community marked the International Day of the Boy Child. For me, it was a day of sober reflection on the future of the boy child in a nation like ours, where the horrible spate of insecurity, mass abductions, hunger, and inadequate investment in health and education constantly jeopardise the lives and futures of our children,” Obi stated.
He expressed concern that although children are often described as the leaders of tomorrow, many of them are growing up in difficult conditions that threaten their ability to become responsible and productive citizens in the future.
“It is generally believed that our children are the leaders of tomorrow, and rightly so. However, one wonders how our children will lead society tomorrow if we fail to secure their lives and future today,” he said.
Obi identified several challenges confronting the boy child, including hunger, malnutrition, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, rising insecurity and what he described as growing moral decadence in society.
According to him, many boys across Nigeria are being exposed to harsh realities from an early age, leaving them vulnerable to crime, violence, drug abuse and social instability.
“From severe hunger and malnutrition to a lack of basic education and primary healthcare; from worsening levels of insecurity and mass abductions to alarming rates of moral decadence in society—the boy child faces numerous existential challenges from birth,” he said.
The former governor stressed that if society truly expects boys to become responsible men and future leaders, then deliberate efforts must be made to equip them with the right foundation.
He argued that the boy child must not only be educated academically but also empowered with practical and productive skills while being mentored with sound moral values capable of building a better society.
“For him to become a responsible and productive member of society, the boy child must be given a sound basic education, empowered with productive skills, and mentored with the right progressive values that help build a better society,” Obi stated.
He further quoted renowned American abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
According to Obi, that statement captures the urgency of investing in children early enough before social neglect and economic hardship permanently damage their future.
“We must stop the neglect and abuse we unleash on our boy children and begin to secure their lives and invest in their future for the sake of our collective future as a nation,” he said.
The former presidential candidate warned that societies that fail to properly nurture and protect their young people would eventually face the consequences in the form of rising insecurity, violence and social breakdown.
“As I have always maintained, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow,” he added.
Obi also used the occasion to encourage young boys across Nigeria not to lose hope despite the prevailing economic and social difficulties confronting the country.
He urged them to remain focused on their dreams and aspirations while assuring them that a better future remains possible.
“And to every boy child out there: do not give up on your dreams,” he said.
“We are on a journey toward building a nation that not only secures your life and invests in your future, but also helps you grow and fuels your dreams so that you can embrace global opportunities that match your talents and aspirations.”
The former governor concluded his message by wishing boys across the world a happy International Day of the Boy Child while reiterating his message of hope for Nigeria.
“Happy International Day of the Boy Child,” he said.
“A New Nigeria is Possible.”
