In an extraordinary testament to resilience and advocacy, 69-year-old Nigerian explorer Ibi Sofekun, popularly known as Firekiss, has triumphantly concluded his ambitious “Ride for the Boy Child” expedition. Traversing 40 countries over 99 days across Europe and Africa on his power bike, Sofekun’s journey was a powerful statement on mental health awareness for young boys.
On Sunday, October 5, 2025, Sofekun returned to Lagos to a warm and celebratory reception, marking the end of his mission to highlight the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by boys worldwide.
Launching from Dublin, Ireland, on June 28, 2025, his route spanned a variety of landscapes and cultures, all while promoting a vital message: “It’s okay to not be okay.” This campaign, inspired by the principles of Project HELP, seeks to foster a global conversation about enhancing support networks for boys during their formative years.
Throughout his journey, Sofekun underscored the critical need to raise boys into emotionally aware and self-assured men.
Speaking to the press upon his arrival at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba in Onikan, Lagos, Sofekun recounted a sobering encounter. “The ambassador in Rabat stunned me when he revealed that in 2024 alone, over 10,430 bodies were recovered from the Mediterranean Sea along the Moroccan coast-young Africans risking everything to reach Europe. This tragic statistic highlights a mental health crisis where many youths believe success lies only beyond their borders.”
He further pointed out that many societal issues-ranging from violent crimes to extremism and gang involvement-are deeply rooted in the experiences of men.
“My question is straightforward: I know countless men leading positive lives, but what kind of boys grew up to commit these harmful acts?” Sofekun challenged. He stressed the importance of men setting positive examples and society offering boys hope and encouragement.
Explaining Project HELP, Sofekun detailed its core values: “H” stands for giving boys hope; “E” means encouraging them that better days lie ahead; “L” calls for leaders to model integrity; and “P” emphasizes providing boys with a meaningful purpose. “They need dreams to aspire to, free from judgment,” he affirmed.
Uchechi Deborah Uchenna, the documentarian and project manager who chronicled Sofekun’s expedition, reflected, “This was never merely a physical journey. It was a mission to spotlight the boy child and demonstrate how one individual’s vision can unite diverse communities.”
She added, “Addressing the mental health of boys in Africa transcends local boundaries-it’s a global imperative. When boys are silenced, men grow up fractured, and society as a whole suffers.”
Uchechi urged Nigerians to warmly embrace Firekiss’s return and to actively participate in advancing mental health support for boys. “Let us allow our boys to express, heal, and grow. When they flourish, we all benefit,” she emphasized.
The homecoming celebration drew notable figures such as Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper; Senator (Dr.) Bode Olajumoke, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Boy Scouts Lagos; and Alhaji Adebesin Olohuntoyin Oyeyemi, State Scout Commissioner of Lagos State Scout Council, alongside family, friends, and supporters. Together, they honored Sofekun’s extraordinary feat and reinforced their commitment to the mental well-being of boys.
As Firekiss rode into Lagos, he symbolized hope for every boy facing struggles and envisioned a future where men can heal, grow, and thrive.
Sofekun’s inspiring expedition highlights the transformative power of dedicated advocacy, proving that one person’s passion can ignite significant societal change. His unwavering resolve serves as a compelling call to action to prioritize and nurture the mental health of young boys everywhere.