Abia First Lady underscores challenges that can undermine boy child attaining potentials
The wife of Abia State Governor,Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti has underscored factors that can undermine the boy child from attaining his potentials while calling for support, validation and empowerment to grow into a responsible compassionate men.
Abia First Lady,Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti made this call in her speech during the occasion of the International Day of the Boy Child .
She added that boys face unique challenges in today’s world which included amongst others : societal expectations,peer group, negative media influence,and even cultural silence around their emotional needs can undermine their confidence and self -worth.
The wife of Abia Governor further said,but then,there is a snag ,we must remember that our boys are not only future leaders but our present day heroes that require our support, validation and empowerment to be able to attain to their full potentials.
Mrs Otti who said that she was filled with immense joy to be here today with our wonderful and amazing boys—it is indeed a privilege and a moment she hold dear.
“Today, we gather to celebrate the International Day of the Boy Child, a day dedicated to recognizing the potential, worth, and dignity of our boys. I am honoured to be part of this meaningful occasion, organized by my office in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, under the capable leadership of Dr. Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa.” Abia First lady noted
She however commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for championing this important cause and for its unwavering dedication to the development and protection of our children.
This year’s theme, “Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen,” resonates deeply with me. Boys face unique challenges in today’s world. Societal expectations, peer pressure, negative media influence, and even cultural silence around their emotional needs can undermine their confidence and self-worth. But we must remember that our boys are not just future leaders—they are our present-day heroes. They need support, validation, and empowerment to grow into responsible, compassionate men.
To build their self-esteem, we must create an environment that listens to their voices, validates their emotions, and celebrates their achievements.
As parents, guardians, and mentors, we play a vital role in shaping who they become. We must model positive behaviour, offer constructive feedback, and provide unconditional love and support. The words we speak to our boys—and the ones we fail to say—leave lasting imprints.
Here in Abia State, we have taken deliberate steps to protect and empower our children. Our administration has domesticated the Child’s Rights Act and is actively implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, which provides strong legal protection against abuse, exploitation, .
In furtherance of this commitment, I am proud to announce that Abia is set to commission a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Aba, in partnership with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme. This facility will serve as a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse—including boys, who are often overlooked or silenced. The centre will offer free medical, psychosocial, and legal support, bringing us closer to our goal of justice and healing for every child in distress.
We also recognized the impact of poverty on the boy child. Too many of our boys are drawn into street hawking, child labour, drug abuse, and gang activity—not by choice, but by circumstance. As a government and as a people, we must address the root causes of these challenges through education, family support, skills acquisition, and structured mentorship.
That is why my office has continued to drive programs that focus on mentorship, counselling, and capacity-building for our young boys. These are designed to help them build confidence, develop life skills, and aspire to greatness. But beyond programs and policies, our boys need positive male role models—fathers, uncles, teachers, community leaders—who will show them by example what it means to be a man of honour, respect, and integrity.
To the boys of Abia State and beyond, I say this:
You are valued. You are loved. You are capable of greatness.
Do not let anyone diminish your light or tell you who you cannot become.
Stand tall. Speak up. Be seen.
As we mark this important day, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to raising boys who will respect women, protect the vulnerable, value education, and contribute meaningfully to our society. Let us work together to build a society that not only nurtures and protects boys—but also believes in them.
In conclusion, I urge all stakeholders—parents, teachers, faith leaders, policymakers, and development partners—to join hands in building a brighter future for our boys. Together, we can raise a generation of boys who are confident, compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and ready to lead with purpose.
Thank you, and may God bless our boys, our families, our dear Abia State, and our great nation, Niger
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