A 69-year-old Nigerian motorcyclist, Ibi Sofekun, has completed a 99-day solo ride across 40 countries to raise global awareness about the mental health of the boy child.
Sofekun, who was received in Lagos on Sunday, said his cross continental expedition covering parts of Europe and Africa was inspired by his desire to draw attention to the emotional well-being of young boys.
“It is not just an adventure because I feel like riding. My theme is called Project Help. We need to start paying attention to the mental health of the boy child. It is believed that the boy child is strong and secure, but he has his pains too. He cries and moves on. But if he doesn’t get the opportunity to cry and heal, he can’t have an active future,” he said.
He warned that neglecting the emotional struggles of boys could lead to long-term social problems, noting that issues such as terrorism, cultism, violence, and radicalisation are often linked to unattended mental health.
“If we look at some of the problems of the world, they emanate from the actions of boys who have become men with the wrong perceptions,” Sofekun noted.
The adventurer said beyond his advocacy, the journey was also aimed at promoting Nigeria’s image globally and proving that Nigerians can achieve greatness without relocating abroad.
He called on government, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to prioritise the emotional and mental health of boys, stressing that building emotionally strong young men would help create a safer and more productive society.
