The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged the boy child to take advantage of available opportunities and strive for excellence in their academic and personal lives.
The governor advised on the third day of the 2026 residential workshop for outstanding students, themed “Reorienting The Boy Child To Become An Ambassador of Societal Change,” held at St. Gregory College, Ikoyi. The programme involved 600 boys selected from secondary schools across the state.
The initiative, known as the Lagos Boy Child Programme, was introduced by the First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
Addressing the students, Sanwo-Olu said he was grateful for the success of the programme and proud of the participants.
“This morning, going into the afternoon, I’m truly proud and grateful to God Almighty, who has given this initiative a real path.
“And you have all been carefully selected from almost 60 schools, including public schools, private schools, special schools, faith based schools, and religious organisational schools. You can see that no one has been left behind.”
He noted that the students were privileged to enjoy learning opportunities that were not available to earlier generations.
“The opportunities that they’ve been given to you, we never had those opportunities. I stand here, I can be your governor, be your father but we did not have that opportunity. Throughout my growing up I never saw a governor or even a commissioner in front of me.”
The governor said the exposure would help the participants become responsible adults and positive representatives of their schools and communities.
“You’ve been given an opportunity that should stay with you for the rest of your life. You’ve been allowed to learn things that we never learned.”
He also spoke about the students' visits to security and government facilities during the programme.
“Two days ago, some of you went inside a military aircraft… some of you went into a warship, some of you went to the State Department Security, you went to places that we as your parents never had the opportunity of going to.”
According to him, such experiences should inspire the students to aim higher in life.
“You can see that even from now your tomorrow will certainly be better than even the tomorrow that we had.”
Sanwo-Olu encouraged the participants to take the lessons on leadership, discipline, teamwork, and responsibility seriously.
“This is a rare opportunity for these four days you’ve been taught leadership, mentoring, discipline and working together as a team.”
He also advised them to use social media wisely and not allow it to distract them from their studies.
“They’ve explained to you the good, the bad and the ugly of social media, but you have to do it in moderation. It cannot be bigger than your studies.”
The governor urged the students to remain focused, make their parents proud, and use the experience to build a better future for themselves and society.
