Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called for greater attention to raising responsible boys, saying efforts to tackle gender based violence must go beyond protecting girls to deliberately teaching young men respect, responsibility and healthy relationships.
Hamzat made the call on Saturday at the public presentation of Who Is She, a book on girl child protection written by Princess Damilola Sonayon James, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
According to the deputy governor, governments, parents and communities must invest in raising boys with the right values if the country is to effectively curb gender based violence.
“There must also be greater attention to the upbringing of boys just as attention is on girl child protection. Young men must be deliberately taught respect, responsibility and healthy relationships,” Hamzat said.
He also stressed the need for tougher enforcement of laws against gender based violence, saying offenders should be prosecuted publicly to send a strong deterrent message.
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“We need to ensure that when people are found guilty, it is made obvious. People must know that gender based violence is wrong, criminal and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Hamzat reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening social protection programmes, disclosing that the state operates a comprehensive social protection policy supported by a regularly updated register of vulnerable residents.
According to him, the register covers children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, with the aim of making social intervention more inclusive and better coordinated.
He added that various ministries and agencies implement programmes focusing on poverty alleviation, women’s affairs, youth development, child welfare, employment creation and the prevention of domestic violence.
The deputy governor also highlighted Lagos’ investment in maternal and child healthcare, revealing that the state currently operates 11 Maternal and Child Centres strategically located across Lagos to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Commending the author, Hamzat described Who Is She as a timely contribution to the national conversation on protecting women and children.
“The book is fantastic. It offers practical insights into abuse, social protection and the realities affecting our society. I look forward to reading it,” he said.
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Speaking at the event, the author, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, said the book was inspired by years of community engagement, research and firsthand experience addressing social challenges affecting families and vulnerable groups.
She explained that documenting those experiences became necessary to preserve valuable lessons and provide practical solutions for policymakers and the public.
Also reviewing the book, obstetrics and gynaecology lecturer Dr Joy Oniyinyech Chionuma said it highlighted key challenges confronting the girl child, including limited access to education, maternal mortality and harmful cultural practices.
She noted that one in three Nigerian women experiences gender based violence and urged governments to strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws.
Managing Partner of Moroom Africa, Dayo Adu, also called for reforms to ensure that investments in education translate into meaningful employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
