Martha Emmanuel: Redefining the trajectory for Akwa Ibom Boy-Child
The atmosphere at the main auditorium of the iconic Ibom hall on Monday, May 16th, 2022, was charged to crescendo as young boys within the age bracket of 13 – 18 numbering over 500 from secondary schools across the state sat with rapt attention, listening and digesting every word oozed by the speakers at the first ever conference to mark the International Day of the Boy child in Akwa Ibom State.
Organised by the State Gender Based Violence Management Committee with the theme: “Boosting Optimism, Restoring Self-worth”, the speakers were no less personages; but were carefully selected to drive home the message of the day. On hand to deliver the keynote address was the ever young smart-looking University don, a Professor of Theatre, Media and Communication Studies in the University of Uyo, Professor Effiong Johnson, who took out time to dissect the theme of the conference and at the same time inspiring the boys for greatness.
The energetic life coach, author of “Dare it, Do it”, an aide to the Akwa Ibom governor on New Media, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, was also on hand to wow the audience with his thought-provoking topic: “Dare to Be Different: The Pathway to Migrating From Mediocrity to Excellence.” Not forgetting Mr. Idy Uworoufin, an author and anti-cultism activist who held the audience spellbound with his account of front-row experience on the dangers of cultism.
For the convener of the conference, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel who is also the chairperson of the State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, the commemoration of the day in the state was to chart a new trajectory for the boy-child which connects directly to the fabric of the society.
Dr. Emmanuel, noted that the boy-child of today is the future father of tomorrow, hence must be well groomed and nurtured for the responsibility ahead.
She reasoned that in a society where premium seems to be tilted towards the girl-child, it was very necessary to balance the equation else all the investments in the girl-child would amount to nothing in the nearest future.
“If so much premium is placed on the girl-child and the boys are left unattended to, I am afraid all our investments in the girls would be a waste. We must constantly engage the boy-child to ensure that he grows ro become a responsible man who would end up marrying the trained girl-child”, the governor’s wife remarked.
The governor’s wife passionately advised the young boys to eschew all forms of criminality and social vices, urging that they should rather embrace the right mentors so as to become productive citizens in the future.
“”I stand here today as your mother to caution you against engaging in unwholesome activities capable of truncating your bright future. As you have heard from the various speakers, you must not engage in cultism, drugs abuse, sexual escapades, and alcoholism. These are no-go areas for the boy-child we are celebrating today in this hall. Make a commitment to become who God has destined you to be and you’ll be glad in years to come.”
Delivering a vote of thanks, the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, while paying glowing tributes to the Governor and wife for their massive investments in the future of the Akwa Ibom child, said it has never been this good good for the young lads.
It was indeed a day that many destinies were changed for the better and lives imparted as the young boys left the event better equipped and informed to navigate the huddles of life. Kudos to Her Excellency led Committee for redefining the pathway for the average Akwa Ibom boy-child.