Understanding your originality is key to finding purpose – Psychiatrist urges boys

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Jibril Abdulmalik, has urged the boy child to appreciate his uniqueness and understand that his originality is key to finding and expressing his purpose.

Abdulmalik gave the charge in a lecture organised by Twenty-One Five Child Foundation (TIFF) to celebrate the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child in Ibadan on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 theme of the day is “Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand up, Be Heard, Be Seen”.

Abdulmalik, from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and the founder of Asido Foundation, urged boys to always focus on attributes such as building resilience and confidence.

“They should realise and accept that failure is a normal part of life,” he said.

He also enjoined them to avoid drug abuse, which he identified as a grave societal problem.

“The best treatment for drug abuse is prevention because once you get addicted, it will be difficult to stop.

“Avoid peer pressure, focus on yourself, develop yourself, learn your weaknesses and try to overcome them.

“Avoid drug abuse, it can damage your life and destiny entirely forever; learn to respect and learn from other people.

“Work in collaboration with people and learn from them.

“To translate pressure into purpose, start by knowing yourself, realise that you are the original and not the photocopy of any other person,” Abdulmalik said.

Meanwhile, the founder of TIFF, Amb. Tolu Taiwo, observed that there had been a drift of attention from the boy child, resulting in dire visible consequences on society.

“During our visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Education in the course of planning for this event, we were reliably informed that the enrolment of boys into school had dropped in recent years.

“This is worrisome.

“Yet, along the streets and major roads, we see our boys roaming and chasing after flashy vehicles, sleeping under the bridges, doing drugs, and contributing to security concerns in the communities.

“We must look back and find out where society has gotten it wrong and how we have failed and continue to fail our boys. What kind of pressures are we mounting on them?

“This year’s theme, ‘Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen’, emphasises the importance of nurturing confidence, visibility, and a strong sense of identity in boys,” she said.

Taiwo said the theme encourages society to support boys in developing healthy self-esteem, empowering them to express themselves confidently and recognise their value within their communities.

She emphasised that one of the pressing and alarming challenges confronting young people is the get-rich-quick syndrome.

Taiwo added that the pressure to acquire and display wealth and ostentatious lifestyles at a very young age had led to a surge in vices.

“Such vices as internet fraud, ritual killings, and other forms of crimes.

“We live in a time where boys are bombarded with unrealistic expectations; to appear strong without showing emotion, to succeed without acknowledging struggle, and to chase material things as proof of worth.

“These pressures have created a silent crisis; one where many boys are growing up unsure of who they are, and unsure of who they are allowed to be,” she said.

The child protection advocate advised boys to acknowledge that a good reputation is priceless.

According to her, the true definition of success lies in the number of lives one positively impacts and the kind of legacy and footprints one leaves in the sands of time.

“Today is your day, and we celebrate you, not just for who you are, but for the great men of tomorrow that we know you can become,” Taiwo said.

TIFF Project Lead, Mr Promise Ihezie, had said the foundation, whose focus is on young people, both males and females, celebrated the boy child to showcase the importance of boys in society.

NAN reports that the event’s highlight was the inter-school oratory contest on the topic, “From Pressure to Purpose: Combating the Effects of Societal Pressures and Wealth Exhibition in our Society”.

Ibadan Boys High School, represented by Emmanuel Adenuga, came first, while Government College Ibadan, represented by Oluwadarasinmi Lazarus, came second.

The third position went to Methodist Grammar School, represented by Oluwajuwon Ololade.

The first position went home with a customised laptop, school bag and trophy, while the second received a customised tablet, school bag and trophy.

The third position got a Bluetooth speaker, a customised school bag and a trophy. (NAN)