Peter Obi to speak, as 2000 youths gather against violence in Enugu

…As Boys Champions convoke peace talk to end gender based violence

No fewer than 2000 youths drawn from different sectors and communities nationwide would participate in this year’s annual conference in Enugu, organized by Boys Champions, a non-governmental organization, to curtail gender based violence in Nigeria.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi is among the discussants expected at the event, slated for November 25, 2022 at The Base Landmarks Event Center, Independent Layout, Enugu State.

The Youth Conference, with focus on the theme ‘Shaping the Future’ would bring together over 2,000 young leaders from different sectors in Nigeria and across the continent, who are working to make social impact in their communities.

The convener of the Conference and founder of Boys Champion, Noel Ifeanyi Alumona, told journalists that renowned personalities, the former Presidential Candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, Bishop (Prof) Godfrey I. Onah of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, the CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa and erudite scholars from Oxford, Cambridge and Vanderbilt Universities would make presentations at the event.

Alumona, who won the 2022 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens recently, told newsmen that the conference would provide an interactive forum with young people as part of the ongoing campaign by the non-governmental organization, Boys Champion, to arrest the spate of violence against women in local communities.

He noted that participants would be exposed to impactful and transformative panels, workshop and speeches by high profile resource persons, and help them to build sustainable networking for personal and career development.

It is expected that the participants would become the vanguard of the crusade in their local communities, and spread the value chain across the length and breadth of African continent.

He expressed optimism that the conference would be profitable for youths in tapping from the resources of different speakers who had made their mark in education, humanitarian, political, business, and other areas of human endeavor.

He further explained that the conference was his little way of giving back to the society, and promote inter-cultural dialogue to stem the tide of violence against girls and women in African society.

According to him, the programme would also be a golden opportunity to several deprived youths by creating a viable platform for them to gain quality training and mentoring sessions from captains of industry, erudite scholars as well as local and international experts.

He said delegates would have the opportunity for question and answer session with leading experts, and also build lasting relationships and connections that could help them advance their works and social contracts with the people in their respective communities.

The Conference, he said, would feature Plenary Session where experts would discuss Global Education and the Nigerian Struggle, Opportunities for Youth, Gender Equality and Women Inclusion, Ethical Leadership, Conflict Prevention and Peace building, among others.Dr. Maureen Manning of The Pie News, USA would be the keynote speaker at the conference, which would also include presentations by Daniel Obst, President of AFS Intercultural Programs, USA, Prof. Veronica Boix Mansilla, Harvard University, USA and Dr. Nancy Dickson, from Vanderbilt University, USA. .

Other speakers expected at the event include: Dr. Helmut Schuster, from the United Kingdom, Rtd. General Chris Eze, former Ambassador of Nigeria to India, Augustine Achu, United States Marines Corp, Virginia USA, Hawa Taylor, United Nations Global Communications Office, Dr. Onyeka Nwelue, Visiting Fellow, Oxford University and Chike Nwoke, Carleton University, Canada. Other speakers lined up for the conference include: the CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri, Ephraim Bassey, United States Institute of Peace, Prof. Pat Utomi, Founder, Center for Value in Leadership, Osowobi Oluwaseun Ayodeji, Founder, Stand to End Rape, Hauwa Ojeifo, Founder, Shewriteswoman and Prof. Joy Ezeilo, HOD Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Scholars lined up to discuss the theme of Global Education and the Nigerian Struggle at the conference include: Prof. Veronica Boix Mansilla, Harvard University, USA, Dr. Nancy Dickson Vanderbilt University, USA, Bishop Godfrey I. Onah, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Chike Nwoke, Carleton University, Canada, among others.

This life-changing conference would be held at The Base Landmarks Event Center, Independent Layout, Enugu on November 25, 2022.

Participants can register online by visiting www.boyschampions.org/attend. For Sponsorship and inquiries, please call: 08066165813 or +16156099565ABOUT  BOYS CHAMPIONS

The vast majority of gender-based violence is perpetrated by men, specifically against women and girls. Although most men may not use or condone the use of violence, the simple fact is that men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of gender based violence.

Since men are major perpetrators, holders of social norms and influencers of other men, it makes working with boys and men necessary – a must – as a target audience for primary prevention. Working with boys and men can have a positive, transformative impact for the lives of women and girls, but also for the lives of men and boys themselves as it frees them from harmful limiting aspects of masculinities.

Founded on October 1st 2018, Boys Champions is a primary preventive youth-led nonprofit organization that is committed to providing safe place for women and girls by engaging young boys and men, teaching them healthy masculinity and how to relate to females respectfully.

Boys Champions focuses on gender transformative interventions with both men and boys, engaging them to take actions and become part of the processes to end violence against women and girls. We work primarily with boys and men through sports, support groups, recruiting exceptional volunteer mentors and expectant fathers to share and exchange lessons in birthing and child-rearing process, trainings and our Boys Champions Couch sessions.

Through our impact-oriented and mentorship programs, our Champions are provided with the foundation they need to excel in school, pursue college education, and succeed in life.

Through our 100 Champions program, we provide academic enrichment, social skills building, college preparation and career development programs for under-served male youth. Our organization is committed to these boys because we believe they can maximize their talents with the right education, experience and encouragement.