GAIYD Reaches 49,585 Beneficiaries, 15 Schools in 2026

The Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) has reached more than 49,585 direct and indirect beneficiaries through its youth development and boychild advocacy programmes in 2026.

The initiative also reached 15 schools across three states, distributed more than 1,300 copies of its book, “Unheard Voices of the Boychild”, and provided learning facilities to five schools during the year.

Its President, Dr Hillary Akpua, disclosed this at the fourth edition of the Great Achievers Awards 2026, held in Abuja on Saturday, where he announced a target of at least 100 per cent growth in the organisation’s impact in 2027.

Akpua said the initiative, which began its boychild advocacy campaign in 2021 and was formally registered in 2023, was established to address challenges affecting boys and prepare them to become responsible members of society.

He said the organisation believed that raising responsible boys would contribute to stronger families and a better society.

“We found out that our society is going through a lot of challenges, and we believe that if there is a better boychild, there will be a better family. If there is a better family, there is going to be a better society,” he said.

He explained that GAIYD had sustained school sensitisation, community engagements and parental programmes to ensure that boys received the guidance and support needed to fulfil their potential.

Giving a breakdown of its activities, Akpua said the organisation engaged 435 students and 13 teachers in four secondary schools in Nasarawa and Niger states on drug abuse, mental health, personal hygiene, responsibility and positive decision-making.

The sensitisation exercises were conducted with support from partners, including personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

GAIYD also distributed copies of *Unheard Voices of the Boychild*, launched at its 2025 summit, to encourage students to reflect on the experiences and challenges confronting boys. It donated boards and markers to support teaching and learning in beneficiary schools.

As part of activities marking the International Day of the Boychild, the initiative organised a football and athletics competition between April 23 and May 16, involving 641 boys from eight schools.

The competition featured football matches and 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre races aimed at promoting teamwork, discipline, confidence and sportsmanship.

The campaign climaxed at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on May 16, with nine schools, 18 teachers and coaches, and three media organisations participating.

Akpua said the campaign recorded a reach of 49,151 people through direct engagements, online platforms and other activities, while the organisation’s year-end assessment put its overall direct and indirect beneficiaries at more than 49,585.

He said GAIYD would expand its programmes to more states and schools in 2027, with a target of doubling its impact.

In his keynote address, Professor Okey Ikechukwu called for a change in the country’s approach to leadership, stressing that responsible leaders must demonstrate tolerance, fairness and respect for others.

Speaking on the theme, “Raising Responsible Leaders, Building Sustainable Nations”, Ikechukwu said leadership was not determined by the position or title an individual occupied but by the ability to influence decisions and make meaningful contributions.

“Leadership is not about whether you have a title or whether you are heading an office. Even self-leadership is a form of leadership,” he said.

He identified cultural, religious and personal prejudices as obstacles to responsible leadership, urging Nigerians to recognise their biases and avoid imposing them on others.

The professor also stressed the need to raise boys and girls with values that would promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, warning against gender stereotypes that could undermine their development.

He challenged young Nigerians to avoid reproducing the mistakes of older generations, particularly corruption and the abuse of public positions.

Ikechukwu said nation-building was not the exclusive responsibility of political officeholders, urging citizens to contribute to national development through responsible conduct in their respective communities.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, said responsible leadership and the fight against corruption were closely connected, warning that sustainable development could not thrive where financial crimes and indiscipline were tolerated.

Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Aisha Muhammad, said the EFCC had found that many financial crimes were rooted in a failure of values.

He explained that the commission’s mandate extended beyond arresting and prosecuting offenders to preventing corruption through public enlightenment and early value re-orientation.

He identified integrity education, financial discipline and deterrence as essential measures for raising responsible leaders.

According to him, the EFCC had established Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools and Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions to promote honesty and accountability among young Nigerians.

He urged youths to reject internet fraud, Ponzi schemes and get-rich-quick practices, while embracing legitimate earnings, savings and financial discipline.

“The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. In your homes, in your classrooms, in your social media spaces, and in your communities, you are already leading,” he said.

Olukoyede commended GAIYD for promoting youth integrity, civic responsibility and community development, adding that the EFCC was willing to partner with initiatives advancing these values.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Mainasara Kogo Umar, identified money politics, weak ideological foundations and divisive sentiments as major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.

He lamented that political parties had increasingly become platforms for personal interests rather than organisations driven by clear ideologies and policy programmes.

Umar said the frequent movement of politicians between political parties reflected a lack of ideological commitment, while the high cost of nomination forms continued to restrict participation in the political process.

He also criticised the practice of influencing voters with money and material gifts, noting that economic hardship had made many Nigerians vulnerable to such inducements.

The CCT chairman urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity, peace and development in their political choices, stressing that sustainable democracy required accountability from both leaders and citizens.

The awards ceremony recognised individuals, organisations, sponsors and advocates whose contributions have supported youth development and boychild advocacy.

GAIYD acknowledged the support of the NDLEA, EFCC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Rockbase Developers, Homadil Reality, Dr Hassan’s Hospital, Heladi Prime Limited, De Ace Cribs, Etazuma M&I, Boys2Men Coaching and Mentoring, Neovantage Foundation, Vinael Wines and other partners.