In a determined effort to confront the growing crisis of poorly raised young boys and men, Lady Ejiro Umukoro, the Founder and Publisher of LightRay Media, has forged a strategic partnership with the President General of Ozoro Kingdom, Berkley Elo Asiafa. This collaboration stems from documented evidence and ongoing advocacy that highlight the urgent need for intervention. At its core, the initiative seeks to implement targeted Development Communication (DEVCOMM) strategies to address systemic parenting failures and foster a culture of accountability and respect for women and girls.
During a meeting with the Ozoro leadership, Lady Umukoro underscored the societal consequences of neglectful parenting, particularly among families where values like empathy, responsibility, and gender equality are absent. She referenced the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which prescribes a minimum of 12 years in prison for boys under 14 found guilty of sexual harassment or assault and life imprisonment for cases of rape.
“This is not just about enforcing laws—it’s about cultural reform,” Lady Umukoro stated. “We need to focus on raising boys who understand that respect for women is non-negotiable. This is how we build a safer, more equitable society for all.”
Speaking to the root issues, the President General highlighted a critical challenge facing the community. “There is a growing number of homeless children from all over. They constitute the high number of street children who are young boys we have around, and they need to be helped and protected. These children have been abandoned by their parents. So many of them are runaways,” said Berkley Elo Asiafa, adding that these vulnerable children are at risk of being exploited or engaging in harmful behaviors if the issue is not addressed.
Key Initiatives
The partnership between LightRay Media and the Ozoro leadership will feature a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of what has been termed the “Boy-Man crisis.” These include:
– Community-Based Parenting Workshops: Educating parents on the importance of raising boys with values of accountability and respect.
– Youth Mentorship Programs: Engaging boys and young men in mentorship initiatives that promote positive masculinity and gender equality.
– Advocacy for the Enforcement of the VAPP Act: Collaborating with local law enforcement and community leaders to ensure perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable.
– Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching multimedia campaigns under LightRay Media’s Protection of Women Initiative to educate communities about the consequences of gender-based violence and harmful parenting practices.
Addressing the Ozoro Festival Crisis
LightRay Media is also working with the Delta State Police Command to ensure that all perpetrators of sexual violence during the Aramudu Aluedhor Festival in Ozoro are prosecuted and justice is served. Evidence and survivor testimonies revealed that misogynistic narratives, passed down from older men to younger generations, enabled a culture of violence during the festival.
Lady Umukoro condemned the use of the festival as a cover for cultist activities, including rape initiation rites and targeted assaults on women. She also called out the practice of men using the festival as a platform to retaliate against women who had rejected their advances.
“We cannot allow harmful traditions or cultural practices to excuse violence against women,” she stated firmly. “This is not culture—it is criminality. And it must stop.”
Commendation from Delta Leaders
Lady Umukoro’s efforts have drawn widespread praise from key stakeholders. The Senator of Delta South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, commended both Lady Umukoro and LightRay Media for their unwavering commitment to addressing the Boy-Man crisis, poor parental failures, and the deeply entrenched misogynistic narratives that have fueled violence against women and girls.
The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, also lauded the initiative, pledging the Command’s support in ensuring that all abusers are brought to justice. Edafe emphasized the importance of such collaborations in creating a safer environment for women and girls in Delta State.
The Isoko North Local Government Chairman, Godwin Ogorugba also expressed strong commitments in ensuring all promises made to the survivors will be fully addressed.
Broader Cultural and Systemic Reform
Lady Umukoro highlighted the importance of addressing the broader cultural and systemic issues that enable gender-based violence. Recent reports of harassment and violence against women during community festivals were described as stark reminders of the urgent need for change.
The President General of Ozoro pledged his full support for the initiative, vowing to mobilize traditional leaders, educators, and community stakeholders to collaborate with LightRay! Media in implementing these reforms.
The Road Ahead
The meeting concluded with commitments to host town hall meetings, workshops, and school-based interventions to directly engage parents, educators, and young boys. LightRay Media’s Protection of Women Initiative will continue to amplify its advocacy through hashtags such as #StopMisogyny, #ProtectOurChildren, #ProtectionOfWomen, and #GenderJustice, ensuring the campaign reaches audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
Lady Umukoro’s efforts have drawn widespread attention, with many recognizing her as a leading advocate for gender justice and cultural reform in Nigeria. Since the Ozoro Festival crisis broke, she has been a vocal champion for the rights and protection of women and girls, appearing on prominent platforms such as BBC Africa, DW News (Germany), Radio Now, Nigeria Info, Jusmen Radio (Lagos), and Crest FM (Ibadan) to call for action.
As the initiative gains momentum, LightRay! Media has promised to provide regular updates on its progress, ensuring transparency and accountability in its mission to build a safer, more equitable society.
