In line with the International Men’s Day (IMD) 2022 global theme, which is ‘Men Leading by Example, the IMD 2022 Nigeria Local Organising Committee (LOC), in alliance with Innate Communications and other partners, has called on corporate organisations, governments, institutions, businesses, religious bodies, public/private sector enterprises, NGOs and the media, to initiate clusters of independent activities at highlighting the positive values of men to their families, communities and the society at large, in relation to the context of their careers, families, health & mental wellness, socio-economic sustainability as well as in the area of organisational or political leadership, as applicable.
In a press release from the Coordinator International Men’s Day 2022 Nigeria event and West Africa Ambassador, Mr Sanmi Falobi, stated that “bearing in mind the peculiarities of the Nigeria context and the enormous challenges that the Nigerian men are burdened with, the 2022 IMD Nigeria LOC calls on those in management and leadership positions to catch in on the uniqueness of the International Men’s Day (IMD) to celebrate and highlight the values of men within the structure of their workforce, especially in line with values that promote quality leadership in accordance with the 2022 IMD theme, MEN LEADING BY EXAMPLE. “
Mr Falobi further said that “while noting that there are varied issues within the societal context that is still primarily hinged on patriarchal ideologies, we cannot run away from the realities that bridging the gaps in gender inequality is a collective effort that will need to involve and engage mindset re-orientation and education of which men, across family leadership structure, workplace cadre, societal influence, religious, traditional positioning, governance and political leadership etc., have strategic roles to play.
“As such, an occasion like the IMD gives the opportunity to appreciate men who support women, as well as to broaden the scope of engagement to get more men to support women’s cause, which is ingrained as one of the objectives of the six significant pillars in commemorating November 19 as International Men’s Day”.
Commemorating ‘November 19’ as IMD is also very significant to the well-being of men, as this inculcates organising programmes and activities that address the increasing mental and physical wellness of men, with November also being recognised as Men’s Health Awareness month.
The IMD Nigeria Coordinator said, “though men are generally perceived to be strong-hearted and socialised to project strength, autonomy, dominance and stoicism, many men are dying silently and crying inwardly due to the enormous burden placed on them by family obligations, career expectations, societal influence and peer influence factors.
“These burdens and pressures often push men to the edge of their limits, resulting in suicidal actions, gender-based violence, use of drugs and engagement in criminal tendencies.
“Men need all the support they can get, especially from the home front and the family unit, and it is when this critical support is in place that men can balance issues and play the expected role to ‘LEAD BY EXAMPLE”.
IMD is an opportunity not only to celebrate and appreciate Men that make things happen; but also to motivate/encourage Men to make things happen for a safe, better and saner society.