A media and communications organisation, LightRay Media, says it is partnering with stakeholders in Ozoro town, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta, to address the growing crisis of poorly raised boys and men in society.
The Founder and Publisher of LightRay Media, Ejiro Umukoro, disclosed this on Saturday during a meeting with leaders of the Ozoro community.
Umukoro specifically noted that the organisation would partner with the President-General of Ozoro, Berkley Asiafa.
She explained that the collaboration aims to implement strategies addressing parenting failures while promoting a culture of accountability and respect for women and girls.
Umukoro highlighted the dangers of neglectful parenting, especially in families where values such as empathy, responsibility, and gender equality are lacking .
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She added that the initiative seeks to deploy targeted Development Communication (DEVCOMM) strategies to address systemic parenting failures and foster a culture of accountability and respect for women and girls.
According to her, the partnership will focus on several initiatives, including community-based parenting workshops.
She said the workshops would educate families on raising boys with accountability and respect.
“Youth mentorship programmes will engage boys and young men in positive masculinity and gender equality initiatives.
“Advocacy efforts will support the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
“We will also engage in public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the consequences of gender-based violence and poor parenting practices.
“This is not just about enforcing laws; it is about cultural reform.
“We need to raise boys who understand that respect for women is non-negotiable. This is how we build a safer, more equitable society,” she said.
Umukoro also disclosed that, in response to recent incidents at the Aramudu Aluedhor Festival, the organisation is collaborating with the state police command to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are prosecuted.
“Evidence and survivor testimonies revealed that harmful narratives, passed from older men to younger boys, contributed to violence during the festival,” she said.
In his remarks, Asiafa highlighted critical challenges facing the community, noting a growing number of homeless children.
“They make up a large population of street children—mostly young boys—who need to be helped and protected.
“These children have been abandoned by their parents. Many of them are runaways,” he said.
Asiafa added that these vulnerable children are at risk of exploitation or engaging in harmful behaviours if urgent action is not taken.
The President-General pledged full support for the initiative and promised to mobilise traditional leaders, educators, and other community stakeholders to collaborate with LightRay Media.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umukoro has become a leading voice for gender justice in Nigeria, appearing on platforms such as BBC Africa, DW News, and Radio Now, among others.
(NAN)
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