Sanwo-Olu: Boys must learn essential home skills

Wife of the Lagos State Governor Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has admonished parents to break gender stereotypes by encouraging boys to acquire essential home management skills.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu gave the admonition at the day 2 of the 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Residential Workshop held at Model College, Agbowa. The initiative, organised by the Office of the First Lady to bridge the gap in attention given to the developmental need of boys.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said: “This is a reminder that boys face numerous challenges—many of which go unspoken. From peer pressure, cultism, and substance abuse, to mental health struggles and the absence of positive role models, boys today navigate a world that is increasingly complex. It is therefore imperative that we provide them with the right mentorship, guidance, and values to overcome these challenges.

“This underscores the need for parents, community leaders, youth organizations, and all relevant stakeholders to be deliberate in empowering boys with the right skills, mindset, and moral values, ensuring they grow into men of integrity and purpose.”

Then governor’s wife suggested certain approaches to develop the boy-child, such as education and skills development; character and moral values; mental and emotional well-being, and leadership and responsibility by standing up for what is right.

 “An interesting addition to this year’s workshop is the cooking competition, which aims to break gender stereotypes by encouraging boys to acquire essential home management skills. Being well-rounded means excelling both academically and in daily life, and we must dispel the notion that certain responsibilities are meant for a particular gender,.

“Parents must be more intentional in raising their sons. These boys need guidance, love, and discipline. Fathers must actively take up their roles as mentors, while mothers must continue to nurture their sons with wisdom and understanding,” she added.

The Agbowa of Agbowa Land and one of the panelists, Oba Mamson Saheed Owolabi, said the traditional institution has great role to play in the educational development of every child.

The royal father, who is a product of LSMC, stressed that the Agbowa community has been at the forefront of assisting teachers to enhance their skills. According to him, parents were given free accommodation, land for farming as well as providing security to teachers to lessen their burden.

The monarch admonished the boys to be of good character. He added: “Be focused on your academics and be of good behaviour because in the workplace, your character matters a lot. Even if you have a First Class without good character, you are empty.”