Lagos first lady leads boy-child mentorship visit to House of Assembly (Photos)
By Innocent Raphael
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, led a group of young boys on a visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly as part of a mentorship program she initiated for the boy-child.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat on Friday, was warmly welcomed by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and other members at a special plenary session aimed at encouraging the young visitors.
During the session, Speaker Obasa shared personal anecdotes from his youth, emphasizing the importance of education and literature.
Recounting a pivotal moment from his student days, he explained how attending a theater performance that featured a recitation of William Shakespeare sparked his love for literature. He advised the boys on the significance of the legislature in Lagos State and its impact on residents’ lives, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“I want you to resolve to be true leaders of tomorrow. And to do this, you must say no to crime. A criminal can never be a leader.
“So try to be good children and students. You have learned from my colleagues and me today. We all started as youth. All it takes is to be good boys and law-abiding citizens,” Obasa urged.
Emphasizing the importance of the visit, Speaker Obasa encouraged the boys to remember the experience and apply the lessons learned.
He highlighted the Child Rights Law, which protects children in Lagos State and stressed the importance of maintaining cultural heritage by speaking their mother tongue effectively.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu addressed the House, explaining that the young boys were selected from public and private schools, as well as orphanages and correctional facilities, under the Lagos State Boy Child Initiative.
She further highlighted the initiative’s goal to mentor young boys, raise awareness about their rights, and make them valuable members of society.
Commending the First Lady’s efforts, lawmakers urged the boys to cherish the visit and implement the advice they received.
The initiative marks a significant step in addressing the needs of the boy-child, who, according to Dr. Sanwo-Olu, has often been overshadowed by a predominant focus on the girl-child.
