Ronke Kehinde/
The need to address the emotional, psychological, and social challenges confronting men took center stage at the Fourth Annual Stakeholders Conference of the JASHABEL Touch-A-Heart Foundation (JTAH), held on June 11, 2026, at the prestigious MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
The conference, which brought together policymakers, human rights advocates, mental health professionals, faith leaders, entertainers, and community stakeholders, focused on the theme: “Masculinity, Vulnerability and Relationship Breakdown: Men, Why The Silence?”
The event was chaired by renowned businessman and philanthropist Chief Andy Boyo.
In his opening remarks, he challenged society’s long-held perception of masculinity, noting that many men have been conditioned from childhood to suppress emotions and endure pain in silence.
He observed that countless men struggle with emotional pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, financial pressures, family challenges, and even abuse, yet remain silent because they fear being perceived as weak.
According to him, the consequences of this silence are evident in broken relationships, strained families, social isolation, addiction, mental health crises, and emotional despair.
“True strength is not pretending that pain does not exist,” Boyo said. “True strength is having the courage to confront it. True strength is being able to say, ‘I need help.'”
He emphasized the need to build a society where men can openly discuss their struggles without fear of ridicule and where emotional wellness is recognized as a vital component of healthy masculinity.
“When men heal, families heal. When families heal, communities become stronger. When communities become stronger, nations prosper,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Broken Fathers, Broken Sons: The Hidden Cost of Fatherlessness on Men’s Mental Health, Trauma and Emotional Regulation,” Mr. Kingsley Obom-Egbulem highlighted the profound impact of absent or emotionally unavailable fathers on boys and men.
“Every society eventually pays for the fathers it produces,” he said.
Citing research findings, he revealed that approximately 85 percent of men surveyed expressed a desire not to replicate the kind of relationship they had with their fathers when raising their own sons.
He lamented societal expectations that compel men to “man up” and suppress emotional pain, a culture he linked to rising cases of depression, substance abuse, emotional instability, and self-destructive behaviours.
According to him, boys require six critical elements for healthy development: presence, protection, affirmation, guidance, correction, and positive masculinity.
He urged fathers to become more involved in their children’s lives, encouraged men experiencing abuse or emotional distress to seek help, and called on communities and leaders to create support systems for vulnerable men.
The Executive Director of JASHABEL Touch-A-Heart Foundation, Comrade (Mrs.) Favour Benson, explained the rationale behind the initiative.
She noted that while many interventions have rightly focused on empowering women and girls, her organization observed a growing need to also pay attention to the emotional wellbeing of boys and men.
“As we worked with families, couples, young people, and communities, we discovered that many relationship challenges are linked to emotional wounds that were never addressed,” she said.
She stressed that empowering girls alone would not be sufficient if they eventually build families with emotionally wounded and unsupported men.
“A wounded man often struggles to maintain healthy relationships. A neglected boy can grow into a confused adult. A society that ignores the emotional wellbeing of men ultimately affects women, children, families, and communities,” she said.
Benson emphasized that the conference was not designed to compete with initiatives for women and girls but to complement them by promoting healthy families through the support of both genders.
She called on families, faith institutions, educational institutions, employers, policymakers, and community leaders to create environments where men can speak openly without fear of judgment.
“Together, let us break the silence. Together, let us restore hope. Together, let us build healthier men, stronger families, and a better society,” she concluded.
One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation by renowned human rights activist Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who challenged stereotypes surrounding gender-based violence.
Drawing from years of advocacy work, she revealed that out of approximately 8,000 gender violence cases handled by her organization, nearly 1,000 involved male victims.
She observed that many men suffer silently under the weight of emotional trauma, financial burdens, abuse, and societal expectations.
“When you see a silent man, you don’t know the weight he carries,” she said.
Odumakin recounted several real-life cases involving men who suffered emotional and psychological distress, emphasizing how unresolved trauma and suppressed emotions can lead to tragic outcomes for individuals and families.
She encouraged male victims of abuse to seek counseling and professional support rather than endure suffering in silence.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, used the occasion to announce plans by the Lagos State Government to institutionalize a boy-child development initiative currently championed by the Office of the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, May 16 has been selected as a dedicated day for recognizing and promoting issues affecting the boy child.
He explained that the initiative would be embedded within the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to ensure continuity regardless of changes in government administration.
“We are here because of the boy child,” he said. “We are institutionalizing this initiative so that the boy child continues to be recognized and supported.”
The conference also featured an engaging panel session moderated by acclaimed filmmaker Biodun Stephen.
Panelists included Dr. Ray Echebiri, Dr. Becky Olorunpomi, Dr. Jude Odemudiamen, Barrister Kunle Afolabi, Mrs. Aderonke Oyelakin, and Mr. Damilare Adewusi.
The panel examined societal expectations placed on men and discussed the emotional, psychological, and cultural factors contributing to their struggles.
Panel members collectively emphasized the importance of raising boys with emotional intelligence, empathy, accountability, and healthy coping mechanisms.
They urged parents, educators, and community leaders to play active roles in nurturing emotionally healthy boys who can grow into responsible and balanced men.
Several notable personalities lent their voices to the discussion, including legendary comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome (Alibaba) and veteran actor Paul Obazele, both of whom emphasized the importance of addressing the emotional wellbeing of men.
The event also attracted an impressive array of dignitaries, including Ambassador Jackie Adunni Kassim, Royal Mother of the Event; Lolo Uju Okoye; Mrs. Adebukola Agbaminoja, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board; Prof. Azeez Butali, Founder of the Azeez Butali Foundation; Amb. Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson; Dr. Jude Osemudiamen; Chief Jubril Segun Ndama and Chief Javairia Ndama; Barr. Obiamaka Aga, JP; Mrs. Olajumoke Matilda Otitoloju, Executive Director of Iyaniwura Foundation; LSP Yemisi Ajeigbe, the first female DPO of Ayobo Police Station; and Alhaji Lateef Kayode Akinborode, President and Executive Director of Women Rights Foundation, among others.
As part of activities marking the conference, JASHABEL Touch-A-Heart Foundation officially launched a new magazine aimed at advancing conversations around social development, family wellbeing, human rights, and community transformation.
The Foundation also honoured several distinguished personalities with awards in recognition of their outstanding humanitarian contributions and commitment to social impact.
Beyond the speeches and presentations, the conference delivered a powerful message: society must begin to pay closer attention to the emotional wellbeing of men and boys.
Speakers repeatedly stressed that addressing men’s mental health is not a gender competition but a collective responsibility that benefits families, relationships, and communities.
As participants departed the MUSON Centre, one message resonated throughout the gathering: the time has come to replace silence with conversation, stigma with support, and isolation with healing.
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