No fewer than 300 vulnerable boys in Cross River State have benefited from various intervention programmes implemented by Hogis Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the development of the boy child.
The foundation’s founder, Dr Ikechuku Ukweh, made this known while speaking at a Strategic Conference for heads of secondary schools held in Calabar.
The conference, held at Hogis Luxury Suites Hall, was themed “Meeting Strategic Partners in the Boy-Child Development: A New Era of Collaboration.”
Ukweh explained that the foundation, unveiled on September 27, 2025, was established in response to what he described as society’s “one-sided compassion” in child development discourse.
He said, “Hogis Foundation focuses on vulnerable boys aged between 10 and 19, particularly those who are out of school or living on the streets, through structured mentorship, education and rehabilitation programmes.”
Ukweh disclosed the foundation’s areas of intervention include educational scholarships, vocational and technical skills training, entrepreneurship development and health screening.
He noted that the organisation’s guiding philosophy is anchored on leadership, empowerment, Education and elevation.
Presenting the foundation’s key performance indicators over the last five years, he disclosed that about 80 per cent of boys mentored under its programmes have demonstrated improved leadership skills, alongside a significant reduction in bullying and aggressive behaviour in targeted schools.
He added that 80 per cent of participating communities have adopted child-protection guidelines, while the reintegration rate of street-involved boys stands at about 70 per cent.
Ukweh further outlined the foundation’s future projections, saying it plans to train 2,000 boys in vocational and technical skills, reach 25,000 boys with masculinity and life-skills education, support 1,000 boys in entrepreneurship, and provide health screening for 10,000 beneficiaries.
He added that 200 boys are expected to participate annually in sports leagues, 100 youth-led businesses will be supported to launch, and about 300 street-involved boys are projected to be reintegrated each year.
He explained that funding for the foundation’s activities is sourced from corporate social responsibility partnerships, grants from international donors, fundraising events and campaigns, and membership contributions.
He also noted that the foundation works in partnership with religious institutions, government agencies, sports clubs, schools and corporate sponsors.
Dignitaries at the event included representatives of the Cross River State Commissioners for Education, Prof Stephen Odey, his colleague in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development, Prof Margaret Ene-Ita, principals of secondary schools and other key education stakeholders.
