Yenagoa, May 16, 2025 — As the world commemorates the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child, the Acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON, has issued a passionate appeal to all levels of government, institutions, and families to prioritize the needs, dreams, and development of the boy child in Nigeria and beyond.
In a statement signed and released by his Media Assistant, Kelvin Loveday Egbo, Barr. Turnah emphasized that this year’s theme, “Focusing on the Boy Child: His Dreams, His Challenges, His Role in Society”, offers a timely opportunity to confront the overlooked challenges affecting boys, especially in the South-South region and Bayelsa State.
According to the legal luminary and PDP chieftain, “The boy child is not a passive figure in our society; he is a crucial stakeholder in shaping the family, the community, and the future of our nation. As future leaders, fathers, innovators, and defenders of peace and justice, boys must be supported with deliberate mentorship, education, and protection.”
Barr. Turnah lamented the rising tide of drug and substance abuse among young boys, describing it as “a silent but deadly epidemic that is eroding destinies, destroying families, and destabilizing communities.” He blamed the crisis on peer pressure, broken family systems, and a lack of positive male role models.
According to the legal luminary and PDP chieftain, “The boy child is not a passive figure in our society; he is a crucial stakeholder in shaping the family, the community, and the future of our nation. As future leaders, fathers, innovators, and defenders of peace and justice, boys must be supported with deliberate mentorship, education, and protection.”
Barr. Turnah lamented the rising tide of drug and substance abuse among young boys, describing it as “a silent but deadly epidemic that is eroding destinies, destroying families, and destabilizing communities.” He blamed the crisis on peer pressure, broken family systems, and a lack of positive male role models.
He called on parents, religious leaders, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers to “fill the vacuum of neglect with strong values, discipline, and purposeful guidance,” noting that prevention of addiction, mental wellness education, and character formation must become urgent national priorities.
Turnah noted that the PDP in Bayelsa State under his leadership remains unwavering in its commitment to the total well-being and future of the boy child through initiatives rooted in godly leadership, discipline, and societal transformation.
As part of his message, Barr. Turnah urged for policies and community programs that create safe spaces for boys to dream, grow, and lead. He called for an end to systemic neglect of the boy child in public policy, stressing that gender inclusion must not mean gender exclusion.
The statement reads in part: “on the occasion of the International Day of the Boy Child 2025, Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON, Acting Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State, extends heartfelt felicitations to boys across the globe, particularly those in Nigeria, the South-South region, and our dear State of Bayelsa.
“This year’s theme, “Focusing on the Boy Child: His Dreams, His Challenges, His Role in Society”, compels us to reflect on the pressing needs and hidden battles faced by our boys; often neglected in public discourse and policy.
“The boy child is not just a passive figure in the family or community; he is a crucial stakeholder in the future of our society. As future fathers, leaders, innovators, and defenders of justice and peace, boys deserve deliberate attention, mentorship, and support to overcome life’s complexities and emerge as godly, responsible men.
“We must collectively protect the boy child from the growing threat of hard drugs and substance abuse, which has become a major destroyer of destinies among our youth. The allure of quick fixes, peer pressure, and the absence of positive role models have led many young boys into the dark pit of drug addiction. This menace is eroding potential, destroying families, and threatening societal stability.
“It is our collective duty to build safe spaces and support systems in our homes, schools, religious institutions, and communities that educate, mentor, and shield our boys from these harmful influences. We must replace the vacuum of neglect with strong values, discipline, love, and vision.
“I therefore call on governments at all levels, religious bodies, civil society, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and, most importantly, parents, to intensify efforts in protecting, educating, and empowering the boy child. Let us nurture their dreams, guard their innocence, shape their character, and ensure that they grow up to be the godly, courageous, and compassionate men our society desperately needs.
“In Bayelsa State and the South-South region, we must champion policies and programs that focus on youth mentorship, addiction prevention, mental wellness, and character-building. The PDP in Bayelsa State remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing the well-being and future of our young boys through initiatives rooted in godly leadership, discipline, and societal transformation.
“As we mark this year’s International Day of the Boy Child, let us renew our resolve to raise a generation of boys who will lead with truth, serve with honour, and love with purpose.”
