Director of University of Lagos Institute Advocates for Equal Attention to Boy and Girl Child
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a bid to promote gender equality and ensure a balanced approach to child welfare, Professor Muyiwa Falaiye, Director of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) at the University of Lagos, has called for equitable attention to both boys and girls. Falaiye made this call during the celebration of Black History Month, organized by the institute, under the theme 'Celebration of the Arts with Focus on Empowering the Boy Child.'
Expressing concerns about the prevailing imbalance in attention between the genders, Falaiye emphasized the need to address the well-being of the boy child, which he believes has been overshadowed by the excessive focus on the girl child in society. He cautioned that neglecting the needs of boys could potentially lead to future challenges, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a harmonious relationship between boys and girls as they grow.
Falaiye underscored the significance of the Black History celebration as one of the institute's flagship advocacy programs, aimed at promoting awareness and fostering dialogue on pertinent social issues. He outlined the institute's tripartite mandate, with a primary focus on research, which constitutes a significant portion of its activities.
Nine secondary schools from across the state participated in the event, engaging in various artistic categories including singing, painting, drama, dancing, and spoken words. Federal Government College Ijanikin emerged as the overall winner, with Grace High School and Queen's College Yaba securing the second and third positions, respectively.
Dr. Ayo Yusuf, a research professor at the institute, echoed Falaiye's sentiments, urging males to embrace the positive aspects of masculinity in Nigerian society. While advocating for a balanced approach to gender attention, Yusuf acknowledged the empowerment of women in contemporary society but also emphasized the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding between genders to build stable homes and communities.
The event highlighted the institute's commitment to promoting inclusive dialogue and fostering a supportive environment for all children, irrespective of gender, in line with broader efforts to advance gender equality and social development.
