The need for proper mentorship and guidance for young boys to help them resist negative peer pressure and become responsible members of the society took centre stage as Teen Nation Plateau State marked the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child in Sabon Gari community of of Tudun Wada Jos.
Speaking during the celebration held at the Church of Christ in Nations COCIN Local Church Council LCC Sabon Gari for Tudun Wada community, the Plateau State Coordinator of Teen Nation Plateau State, Okolo Kefas, said many teenagers are increasingly exposed to harmful influences from their environment, making mentorship and enlightenment programmes necessary.
According to him, the organization is committed to empowering, engaging and enlightening teenagers through mentorship initiatives, school outreach programmes and community engagements aimed at shaping a better future for young people.
He explained that Teen Nation Plateau State, a subsidiary of Teen Nation Global, works across schools, orphanages and communities to provide guidance and support for teenagers.
“We discovered that the influence the environment is having on many boys is very high. By the end of the day, we want them to understand that despite peer pressure, there is still a path they can follow to become different from their immediate society,” he said.
Kefas noted that the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child celebration was themed “Empowering Boys for a Brighter Future,” adding that the event featured lectures, mentorship sessions, gifts and awareness talks, including discussions on drug abuse and responsible living.
He explained that the organization currently focuses more on knowledge and mentorship empowerment, connecting teenagers with mentors from different career backgrounds such as medicine, political science and the arts.
According to him, the initiative also provides motivation and encouragement to boys through rewards and support packages, while financial assistance is occasionally extended to vulnerable students. He recalled that the organization recently paid the school fees of a boy in God’s Own Academy Jos, as part of its support efforts.
Kefas called on parents to create enabling environments for children to develop their talents and interests instead of forcing them into careers or lifestyles they may not be passionate about, warning that excessive pressure could push children into negative behaviours.
He also appealed to community leaders in Tudun Wada and other parts of Plateau State to collaborate with the organization by creating welcoming spaces for mentorship programmes to thrive, stressing that empowering boys should be a continuous process and not a one-time event.
The Teen Nation Plateau State coordinator further called on individuals, groups and organizations interested in youth development to partner with the organization in expanding mentorship and empowerment initiatives across the state.
The event featured teachings, sensitization on drug abuse by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, games and presentations of books and other gifts to outstanding participants.