By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In a bid to mark the International Day of the Boy Child, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, NACAT, organised a football to help boys build resilience, develop emotional intelligence and promote positive values.

The event, held in collaboration with the Child and Youth Protection Foundation, CYPF, and other stakeholders, was organised under the theme: “Stand Tall, Play Strong: Promoting a Positive Mindset in Boys,” on Saturday in Abuja.

Students from Government Secondary School, GSS Kuje, GSS Airport, GSS Goza and GSS Lugbe participated in the football competition and mentorship sessions, including students with hearing disabilities from GSS Kuje.

Organisers said the programme was designed to encourage boys to speak up when facing challenges, seek help when necessary and embrace positive values that would help them become responsible members of society.

Speaking during the event, Operations Manager of NACAT, Stanley Ugagbe, said the initiative was created to let boys know that society recognises their struggles and values their wellbeing.

Ugagbe explained that the programme went beyond football, noting that panel discussions and mentoring sessions were also organised to educate the students on emotional intelligence and resilience.

According to him, football was chosen because sports has a unique way of bringing people together and creating an atmosphere where young people can easily learn important life lessons.

Ugagbe further disclosed that the initiative would become an annual programme and would involve more schools in subsequent editions.

He said, “This is basically put together to help the boys to build their resilience, to be able to withstand the obstacles of life and be responsible children or boys as they grow up so that they too can become people that can add positive value to society.

“We told ourselves that if we come through the area of football, it is going to help them to bond well and then through this means, we can also use the avenue to talk to them about what they need to know and how they can become better boys in society,” he said.

Also speaking, Communications Manager of CYPF, Jedidiah Osoba, said boys are often left out in conversations around child development and emotional wellbeing.

Osoba said one of the major messages of the programme was to let boys understand that expressing emotions does not make them weak.

He added that many boys and men often bottle up their problems instead of seeking support.

He said, “For years the boy child has been said to be neglected and even when we go to schools for the girls, most times the boys are always asking us, ‘when are you coming for the boys.

“The society has these norms of telling boys don’t cry and for us we see it as a way of letting the boys know that when you show your emotions it doesn’t make you less a man.

“One message we are trying to pass across is that you should always talk, look for somebody to share your problems with and when you share your problems you definitely find solutions,” he added.

Deputy Director of Sports, FCT Secondary Education Board, Luka Innocent Tanze, said the initiative was important because it engaged students in meaningful activities capable of steering them away from negative behaviour.

He noted that the programme also promoted inclusion by ensuring the participation of students with disabilities and students from schools outside the city centre.

“This is to give them a sense of togetherness and sense of belonging so that nobody is feeling inferior,” he said.

One of the participants and an SS2 student of GSS Lugbe, Goni Mustapha, described the event as impactful and educational.

“I’ve learned how to cooperate and how to work as a team,” he said.

He added that football helps young people physically and mentally and can positively influence their lives.