In commemoration of Men’s Day, Osaro Onaiwu, Former Director General of the Nigeria Governors Forum, has called on all Nigerian men to take renewed responsibility in grooming the next generation of boys. He noted that the country is witnessing a troubling decline in discipline, integrity, and moral strength among many young males, a situation he believes can only be corrected through intentional mentorship.
Onaiwu emphasized that Men’s Day should not be celebrated with empty words. Instead, it should serve as a reminder of the duty men owe to society in shaping boys into responsible and honorable adults. He expressed concern that while the girl child continues to receive structured support and character education, the boy child is increasingly being neglected, leaving many young men without proper guidance or value based upbringing.
According to Onaiwu, men should teach boys more than how to chase success or make money. They must show them the value of respect, discipline, emotional intelligence, accountability, and moral strength.
“Men must rise and mentor boys with a sense of purpose,” Onaiwu said. “We cannot continue pouring resources into the girl child alone while our boys grow up without character. A nation that fails to shape its boys will struggle with its future leadership and stability. Boys must be taught to build character before they build wealth.”
He also warned that men who lack discipline should not be allowed to dominate the political space. He stressed that leaders without integrity cannot guide the next generation, and that society must reject men whose actions are driven by greed, recklessness, or the love of power rather than service.
Onaiwu urged fathers, mentors, community leaders, and male role models to become more intentional and consistent in guiding boys. This includes helping them understand respect for women, responsibility at home and in society, humility, and the importance of doing what is right even when no one is watching.
He called for Men’s Day to serve as a turning point, encouraging the creation of programs, conversations, and community driven initiatives that place character development at the center of raising young men in Nigeria.
He concluded that the strength of a nation is reflected in the quality of its men, and that men must teach boys that true greatness is rooted in character, not money.
