By Ukpa Ewa
It was a moment of celebration and impact in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as E-KEEPA’S Enterprise organized the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child as part of its commitment to youth development and social impact. The event brought together no fewer than 100 male students of Rehoboth International College, Okpuno, to commemorate the day and empower the boys with values of purpose, confidence, and healthy living.
The event, which took place at the premises of the college, also had in attendance four resource persons who lectured the male students of the college on career choices, emotional management, healthy living, gender-based violence, including motivational talks aimed at inspiring the students to become not only useful but also great adult members of society.
According to the Communications Officer of E-KEEPA’S Enterprise, Ukpa Ewa, the event, observed annually on May 16, was to recognize, support, and empower boys worldwide and amplify their unique potential while addressing the specific struggles they face in childhood and adolescence.
The Communications Officer, who said this during her remarks, explained that the event reminds the world that boys also deserve guidance, emotional support, mentorship, protection, and opportunities to grow into responsible men.
’In a society where young boys are often told to be strong and hide their emotions, we must create spaces where they can speak, learn, dream, and thrive without fear.
’Our boys are our future leaders, fathers, innovators, teachers, journalists, entrepreneurs, and nation builders.
’The values we teach them today will shape the kind of society we will have tomorrow.
’As we gather here, let us encourage every boy to believe in himself, stay focused on education, respect others, avoid violence and drug abuse, and develop confidence with discipline and purpose,’ Ukpa advised parents and guardians.
She congratulated the boys, advising them to shun all forms of social vices capable of ruining their future.
’To you, our boys here today, you are important; your voice matters; and your dreams are valid.
’Never allow peer pressure, social media influence, or temporary challenges to destroy your future.
’Choose wisdom over recklessness, character over popularity, and purpose over distractions,’ the communications expert urged the Rehoboth College boys.
She noted that parents and teachers also have a major role to play.
’Boys need mentoring, love, correction, and positive examples.
’We must intentionally raise boys who are emotionally intelligent, respectful, hardworking, and responsible,’ Ukpa said.
’As we celebrate this special day, let us continue to build a generation of boys who will become men of integrity, compassion, courage, and excellence,’ she added, expressing deep gratitude to organizations and individuals that contributed to the success of the epoch-making event, making special mention of the Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko.
’We are blessed to have the Managing Director of ACTDA, in the person of Dr. Ossy Onuko.
’Dr. Onuko deemed it fit to sponsor this event through his Foundation, Ossy & Oby Onuko Foundation,’ Ukpa said.
In their separate presentations, the resource persons, Dr. Gabriel Alonta of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Arc. Ifeanyi Asiegbu of AIGShelters, advised the boys to discover their talents and begin now to choose careers they can be proud of based on their existing potentials.
The resource persons further informed the young boys of modern digital career opportunities and paths that are currently emerging, which they listed as software engineering, robotics, among others, and advised parents to allow their children and wards to choose careers by themselves based on their passion and dreams.
Also speaking, another resource person, Christian Mmadubueze of the Gender Perspective & Social Development Centre, advised the boys to avoid engaging in bullying, but endeavour to report it to their parents or teachers when they fall victim to the act.
He suggested the introduction of a concept he called a ‘gender-based violence club’ in schools, saying this would go a long way in making human society freer and more egalitarian.
In his part, the Programme Lead, Gender & Human Rights State Response Team Focal Person, Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Cyril Okedinachi, who took the boys on how to express and manage emotions, challenged the popular maxim that a man does not cry, arguing that for a boy to cry in response to any traumatic or negative circumstance that befell him was not a crime.
He expressed the belief that when a boy child cries and gets rid of the emotion that results in his cry, the boy would grow up to become a well-behaved man.
In its goodwill message, the Ossy & Oby Onuko Foundation commended E-KEEPA’S Enterprise for organizing the event, which it said could address critical issues affecting the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the boy child.
The Foundation said that raising boys who are confident, responsible, emotionally intelligent, and health-conscious is essential to building a safer, more progressive, and compassionate society.
’We particularly appreciate the programme’s focus on mental health awareness, healthy living, positive masculinity, and the fight against gender-based violence.
’These conversations are necessary in shaping boys into future men who will contribute meaningfully to their communities and stand firmly for justice, respect, and human dignity.
’We are indeed proud to identify with programmes that promote youth development, education, social responsibility, and positive societal values,’ the Foundation said, congratulating the boy child on the occasion and urging the participating students of Rehoboth College to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn, grow, and become ambassadors for positive change.
In his remarks, the Principal of the college, Philip Eze, praised the event and thanked the organizers for choosing his school as the venue.
In an interview with newsmen, the Senior Prefect, Victor Iloh, and some other students of the college, including Chinedum Umerah, expressed excitement and joy, thanking the organizers for giving them the privilege to be part of the event.
The event, themed, ‘Boys with Purpose: Confident Minds, Healthy Lives,’ came to a climax with a question-and-answer session between the resource persons and the participating students, as well as a performance by the Achala-Ugo Cultural Dance Troupe of Rehoboth International College
