1,500 boys, officers to converge on Ondo for training– BB State President
By Tolulope Eniola
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has commended the Boys’ Brigade (BB) for its contribution to youth development, discipline and Christian training, pledging government support for its activities in the state.
Aiyedatiwa spoke when the State President of the Boys’ Brigade, Prince Ayo Alasi, led members of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the office of the governor in Akure.
The governor described the activities of the Boys’ Brigade and similar age-long organisations as important in training young people, developing their minds and preparing them to become responsible members of society.
He said, “We cannot but salute the initiative of the founders of these various organisations for all that they put in place during their time, and for those who are still carrying the baton to allow this organisation to function and have meaningful contributions to societal development.”
Aiyedatiwa said the organisation’s emphasis on Christian training was particularly important, noting that it trained young people “to be Christian indeed, to be soldiers for Christ”.
He said he had often seen members of the Boys’ Brigade leading and marching with flags at functions in Anglican churches, adding that he now understood the reason for its close association with the Anglican Communion.
The governor also commended the commitment of BB leaders who, despite their age, continued to train younger people, organise seminars and collaborate with counterparts across the country and internationally.
He described such activities as “service to humanity”, saying they deserved encouragement and support.
Earlier, Alasi said the Boys’ Brigade had over 10,000 members comprising boys and officers from various Christian denominations across Ondo State.
He said the organisation, founded in October 1883 by Sir Alexander William Smith in Glasgow, Scotland, was introduced to Nigeria in September 1908 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Lagos, and to Ondo State in April 1936 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Breadfruit.
According to him, the organisation was committed to the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys and the promotion of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect and other values that lead towards true Christian manliness.
Alasi said the Ondo State Council had contributed to reducing societal vices among youths, including indiscipline, skulking and cultism, drug addiction, disrespect for constituted authority and non-adherence to societal values.
He added that the organisation had also promoted the dignity of labour by equipping youths with skills and life attitudes to become functional members of society.
The State President disclosed that Ondo State had been given the right to host the 64th National Council Meeting of the Boys’ Brigade at Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Oke-Esa, Akure.
He said about 300 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were expected at the meeting, which would commence at 10:00am on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Alasi said the National President of the Boys’ Brigade, Professor Sir Samson Diah, the current Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Abuja, would chair the meeting and its activities.
He added that the National President would arrive at Akure Airport from Abuja on Thursday, August 27, and was expected to pay a courtesy call on the governor immediately after his arrival.
Alasi further disclosed that a training programme for boys and officers had commenced on Monday, August 24, and would end on Saturday, August 29.
He said about 1,500 boys and officers drawn from the 18 local government areas of Ondo State were expected to participate, with most of them already at camp at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Akure.
The BB leader requested the governor to declare the National Council Meeting open on August 28 and review the parade mounted by the boys and officers as Grand Patron of the Boys’ Brigade in Ondo State.
He also asked the governor to provide a date for his decoration as Grand Patron of the Ondo State Boys’ Brigade.
Alasi appealed for financial support for the hosting of the national meeting and completion of the organisation’s secretariat at Archbishop Vining College, saying the building, which would house the state office at Oke-Esa, was still under construction.
He said the council had earlier presented a budget of N10 million for hosting the national meeting and N20 million for completing the secretariat.
Responding, Aiyedatiwa pledged government support for both projects within available resources.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government to take note of the request, saying the short time before the national meeting made it necessary to act promptly.
“We will try as a government to give you support as much as we can within our limited resources,” he said.
On the secretariat, the governor said, “We have seen the bill; we will also see what we can do. So, on both ends — your national meeting and your secretariat — I can tell you that there will be a package to support these projects.”
Aiyedatiwa, however, said other official engagements might prevent him from personally receiving the National President on August 27.
He said the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government or Chief of Staff could represent him, stressing that such representation would carry the authority of the state government.
“Whoever is coming is coming with the seal of the government,” he said.
Alasi expressed appreciation to the governor for granting the organisation an audience, saying the Boys’ Brigade did not take the gesture for granted.
He also commended the government’s developmental efforts and policies aimed at empowering youths and inculcating useful values in them.
In attendance were Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; and Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa.
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