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In a monumental show of endurance and advocacy, 69-year-old Nigerian adventurer, Ibi Sofekun, wide known arsenic Firekiss, has completed his “Ride for the Boy Child” journey, covering 40 countries successful 99 d ays crossed Europe and Africa connected his powerfulness bike.
The powerfulness motorcycle rider rode into Lagos connected Sunday, October 5, 2025, to a hero’s welcome, aft embarking connected this ngo to radiance a airy connected the intelligence wellness struggles faced by young boys.
The journey, which began connected June 28, 2025, successful Dublin, Ireland, took Sofekun done divers terrains and cultures, spreading a important message: “It’s good to not beryllium okay.” His advocacy campaign, inspired by Project HELP aims to promote a planetary dialog connected providing amended enactment systems for young boys.
Sofekun emphasised the value of nurturing boys to go emotionally intelligent and assured individuals.
During a chat with journalists connected his arrival at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba, Onikan, Lagos connected Sunday evening, Sofekun shared a harrowing revelation from his journey. “The ambassador successful Rabat shocked maine erstwhile the antheral said that successful 2024 alone, connected the Moroccan coastline, they fished retired 10,430 bodies from the Mediterranean Sea, trying to transverse into Europe. 10,000 positive successful 1 year. It has go a intelligence contented wherever young Africans deliberation that occurrence is lone elsewhere.”
Sofekun stressed that the problems of the world, specified arsenic weapon crimes, weapon crimes, extremism, and cults, were centered astir men.
“The question I inquire is simple. I cognize truthful galore men who are doing good successful their lives. But the question is, which benignant of boys grew into the benignant of men that are doing each of these nasty things?” He emphasised the request for men to pb by illustration and for nine to supply boys with anticipation and encouragement.
Sofekun explained that Project HELP is an acronym that stands for “H” – Give young boys hope, “E” – Encourage them that it volition beryllium good with you, “L” – Leaders indispensable pb by example, and “P” – Provide them with a consciousness of purpose. “Without being judgmental, they indispensable person thing to imagination of,” helium said.
Documentarian and Project Manager, Uchechi Deborah Uchenna, who documented Sofekun’s journey, said, “This travel was ne'er conscionable astir travel. It was astir purpose, astir shining a airy connected the lad child, astir showing however 1 man’s imaginativeness tin unite supporters from each locomotion of life.”
She added, “When we speech astir the intelligence wellness of the lad kid successful Africa, we are not conscionable speaking locally. We are addressing a planetary situation due to the fact that erstwhile boys are silenced, men turn up broken, and humanity suffers.”
Uchechi called connected Nigerians to invited Firekiss location and to articulation the question to enactment the intelligence wellness of the lad child.
“Let america licence our boys to feel, speak, and heal. Because erstwhile they rise, we each rise,” she said.
The Homecoming lawsuit was attended by dignitaries, including Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka; Chairman Board of Trustees, Boys Scouts, Lagos, Sen. (Dr.) Bode Olajumoke, and State Scout Commissioner, Lagos State Scout Council, Alhaji Adebesin Olohuntoyin Oyeyemi, arsenic good as friends, family, and well-wishers, who came retired to observe Sofekun’s accomplishment and to enactment the intelligence wellness cause. As Sofekun rode into Lagos, helium rode for each lad who’s struggling, and for a aboriginal wherever men tin heal and thrive.
Sofekun’s singular travel showcases the profound interaction of advocacy, proving that 1 person’s dedication tin thrust meaningful change. His fearless determination has inspired many, and his connection is simply a almighty reminder of the value of supporting the intelligence health of young boys.
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