69-Year-Old Nigerian Biker Crosses 40 Countries in 99 Days to Promote Boy-Child Mental Health Awareness
- Ajibade Omolade Chistianah
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
In an extraordinary feat of endurance and advocacy, 69-year-old Nigerian adventurer Ibijuwon Sofekun has completed a 99-day motorbike journey across 40 countries, a mission he says was inspired by the need to highlight the mental health struggles of the boy child.
Speaking at a reception held in his honour in Lagos, Sofekun revealed that his solo expedition, dubbed “Project Help,” was designed to draw attention to the often-ignored emotional battles faced by boys in today’s society.
According to him, the world’s focus on empowering the girl child has unintentionally overshadowed the emotional development of boys, who are often expected to remain strong and silent in the face of pain.
“This wasn’t just an adventure because I love riding,” Sofekun said. “The boy child also feels pain. He cries, but society tells him to move on. If he doesn’t get the chance to heal, he becomes emotionally broken, and that affects society at large.”
Sofekun’s transcontinental trip spanned parts of Europe and Africa, showcasing not only his resilience but also Nigeria’s positive image on the global stage. He emphasized that his initiative aimed to challenge stereotypes and inspire Nigerians to pursue greatness without necessarily relocating abroad.
Highlighting the broader implications of his advocacy, he noted that neglecting boys’ emotional well-being contributes to societal issues such as radicalisation, cultism, violence, and crime, stressing that “a well-balanced boy becomes a responsible man.”
“Many of the world’s social problems stem from boys who grew into men with unresolved emotional wounds,” he said. “When you raise boys with a healthy mind, they become builders, not destroyers.”
The seasoned biker’s initiative, Project Help, continues to gain traction among educators and child-rights advocates, calling on parents, teachers, and government institutions to prioritise the mental health of young boys alongside other child development programmes.
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