GAIYD Rallies Support for Boy-Child Mental Health, Offers Free Medical Tests

GAIYD Rallies Support for Boy-Child Mental Health, Offers Free Medical Tests

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

Abuja residents benefited from free medical checkups on Saturday as the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) held its annual street sensitization focused on improving the mental and emotional wellbeing of the boy-child.

Held in the heart of the city, the 2025 edition of the sensitization exercise spotlighted the growing need for society to pay greater attention to the emotional and psychological struggles faced by young boys.

The event, which also featured a free medical outreach, was attended by community members, medical professionals, and advocacy groups.

Speaking to newsmen at the event, Founder of GAIYD, Dr. Hillary Akpua, emphasized the need to recognize and address the mental health challenges boys face, stressing that continued neglect could have long-term consequences for families and society.

“The boy-child has been neglected and it’s high time we started talking about the boy-child. The girl-child is important, but so is the boy-child. If we keep training only the girl-child, she ends up marrying an untrained man and the cycle of imbalance continues,” Akpua said.

Speaking on this year’s theme, Common Mental Health Issues in Boys, Akpua lamented the cultural silence around boys’ emotions.

“A lot of boys are going through so much but because society tells them to ‘man up’, they bottle things up. That’s dangerous. Mental health is just as important as physical health,” he said.

He added, “It’s better to train a boy than to repair a broken man. Boys need safe spaces to talk, mentors to guide them, and support systems that validate their struggles. This is what GAIYD is committed to building.”

GAIYD has consistently championed initiatives such as community and school sensitizations, drug abuse awareness, and the One Boy, One Skill program, among others, all aimed at equipping boys with tools for personal and emotional growth.

The event also featured a medical outreach, offering free health screenings for blood pressure and hepatitis.

According to Akpua, the partnership with medical stakeholders helps emphasize the link between physical and mental wellbeing.

“We’re telling boys that their health matters too, not just chasing money and coming home to flex. Know your status, check your health, and be responsible for your wellbeing,” he said.

Dr. Akpua appreciated IGmart Med-Laboratory and Scientific Equipment Limited for providing medical supports. He also thanked Zoom 360, Specialists, Doctors and Nurses, for providing free dental checkup and care at the event.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist and CEO of Kayalte Medicals Limited, Linus Akawo, described the health screening as timely, especially as World Hepatitis Day approaches.

“We were able to test 71 people for hepatitis, and two tested positive. We offered them counseling and referrals for follow-up care. The idea is to create awareness and help reduce the spread of the virus,” he explained.

Akawo noted that hepatitis is becoming increasingly prevalent in Abuja and Nigeria at large, urging citizens to prioritize preventive health practices.

Also speaking, the Team Lead of Zoom 36 Dental Care, Jerry Tersoo, described the collaboration as impactful.

“We attended to 36 patients. Fifteen underwent dental cleaning, while others received consultations and follow-up treatment plans,” he said.

Tersoo noted that Zoom 36, which specializes in a range of oral health services including teeth whitening, implants, and root canal treatments, partnered with GAIYD to promote total wellness among young males.

Highlighting the need for continued community involvement, Akpua said the next step after the sensitization is to promote mentorship and social interaction for boys.

“Mentorship is key. Boys need people they can talk to trusted adults, teachers, community leaders. We must break the stigma and create safe spaces where boys can speak up,” he added.

As GAIYD continues its mission to foster inclusive growth through male-child-focused education and human development, the organization urged parents and society at large to prioritize the wellbeing of boys alongside girls.

“Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Let’s raise boys who are emotionally intelligent, mentally stable, and physically healthy for the good of our communities and our future,” Akpua concluded.