It was not the usual and regular Symposium where discussions and interactions were Centred on the female Child, rather it was a Symposium where interactions and discussions was Primarily on the Male Child as the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development, (GAIYD) holds a Symposium to advance the Cause of the Male Child by given them a Voice in a period where the male Child is unheard, uncared for, and has lost attention Completely.
The Ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall of the National merit Award House, Maitama Abuja, Sunday November 26,2023 With the theme,”the impact of the male Child Education in Family and Societal Development”, and was attended by top Government functionaries, lawmakers, Captain of Industries, Head of Non- Governmental Organizations NGOs and Civil Society Organizations CSOs respectively.
The Ceremony also featured the Presentation of Awards to some Nigerians who has impacted lives in their immediate Community and humanity in general.
Delivering his Speech, Dr Barr, Mainasara Ibrahim Logo the keynote Speaker, attributed the Challenges the World is undergoing today, ranging from terrorism, full blown war, Corruption,poor leadership and others to the poor upbringing of the Boy Child.
He further pointed out that Poor parenting and failure on the parts of Government at all levels to meet it Constitutional responsibilities on the Citizenry, which included the right to be educated amongst others has greatly affected the male Child, and by implication the Society.
He lamented that, human life in Nigeria today has no meaning anymore,as a result of the activities of religious extremist, kidnappers and Bandits which are traceable to bad parenting, poor moral upbringing and Significantly, the inability of Government to keep it side of the Social Contract, he stressed.
In his Welcome address, the founder of the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development, (GAIYD) Hillary Akpua, said that GAIYD was born out of a desire amongst others to Contribute to human and Community Development with it focus on the Male Child, adding that over the years, the male Child was ignored, Neglected and was never given the attention he requires to assert the responsibilities nature has assigned to him.
The Convener further explained that, the Male Child Could not be separated or exonerated from all the vices that has brought the nation to it kneels, he said vices such as drug abuse, armed robbery, Banditry, terrorism, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment and rape which the male Child are involved was as a result of poor moral upbringing.
Continuing, Hillary Akpua noted that, the Project GAIYD was Committed to Change the Narratives by Channeling much energy and resources on the Male Child, empowering the male Child with adequate and enriching knowledge and experience that would help them become better persons for themselves and the Society at Large.
He Stressed that, Nigeria and Nigerian would realize her dreams if workshops
are held, starts advocacy, visit to Schools, religious bodies , and Communities,engarging students, parents teachers, Community and religious leaders, and other stakeholders like some Government agencies and Non-governmental Organizations as well.
He further noted that, as GAIYD grows in funding,they intend to be involved in other areas of Community and human development.
Earlier, the Majority Leader Anambra State House of Assembly Akwa,who is the Member representing the good people of Njikoka11 State Constituency, Honourable, Jude Akpua applauded the Founder project GAIYD, Hillary Akpua for his initiative which birthed the noble idea, Saying that, truly there seems to be a gap between policy Makers, the Government and the Male Child, Stressing that the male Child were not always Captured in Governments policies.he described the Symposium as apt and timely, pointing out that the Symposium Couldn’t have come at a better time than now.
Responding to a question from Journalists on his views on the trend Where Some Men fake their Gender identity,he said that, that goes to Show the level of neglect the male Child had Suffered in the Society, but he however,Condenmed such development, blaming it on poor moral upbringing and the display of lack of Confidence in the abilities of Some of the Male Child Who goes about taking their identity.
Also speaking, Hon. Chambers Okorie, while Sharing his views as one of the panelists, urged the Nigerian Government to as a matter of urgency, take proactive measures to improve the Nation’s economy where Sustainable jobs would be available. he lamented that the Situation has degenerated to the level where the Nation’s Youth and graduate were already placing low premium on Education,he recalled a Scenario where a youth openly tore his Certificate due to frustration of joblessness.
In his Speech, the Wakillin Zazzua, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, Commended the Founder and members of his team for the initiative and also described the the Symposium as timely, he added that, Conferences of such nature would make parents,leaders and Government to rise up to their responsibilities.
Engr, Ebite Emmanuel, the Chairman Eco Oil and Gas, who is a receipient of the GAIYD award said the male Child deserved utmost attention, Considering the role of the male Child in the family, Community and the Nation at Large, Saying that the Male Child ought to be well equipped, packaged and prepared for the task of either as a family head or as a representative of the people at national or at the international level.
The high point of the event was the presentation of Humanitarian Service Award to deserving receipient.