The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged boy-children across the state to imbibe discipline and consider careers in the military and other security services.
She gave the advice during an exposition tour organised for secondary school boys under the Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) 2026. The tour took participants to Command Day Secondary School, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, and NNS Beecroft.
At Ikeja Cantonment, Sanwo-Olu was represented by Falilat Obasa, wife of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The LBCI, now in its fourth edition, is designed to promote educational opportunities and nurture a generation of responsible male children who will contribute positively to society.
No fewer than 500 boys drawn from public and private schools, correctional facilities, and other backgrounds are participating in this year’s programme.
Sanwo-Olu noted that interest in military and security careers among young people in Lagos State remains low. She attributed the trend to limited exposure and inadequate understanding of the operations and opportunities within the sector.
According to her, initiatives such as the exposition tour are necessary to broaden the perspectives of young boys and expose them to viable career paths in the armed forces and other security agencies.
Speaking during the event, the Commander of 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ayokunle Owolabi, described the initiative as a noble platform for shaping the mindset of young boys and mentoring them away from negative influences.
He advised the participants to remain disciplined and focused, stressing that the Nigerian Army has produced national leaders through a culture of discipline and service.
Owolabi cited former presidents such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Abdulsalami Abubakar as examples of leaders who emerged from military service.
He encouraged the boys to remain determined and committed to excellence, adding that discipline and integrity remain key pillars of leadership and national development.
