In the Federal Capital Territory, a number of parents and guardians have expressed their concern over the increasing trend of cross-dressing among young people, urging for actions to address it.
In individual interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, they emphasized the need for intervention, given the growing popularity and acceptance that cross-dressers are receiving from the younger generation, many of whom have become ardent followers.
They expressed their worry that in addition to Idris Okunneye, better known as Bobrisky, who recently faced legal consequences and is often referred to as the ‘Mummy of Lagos’, there are other rising cross-dressers with significant followership.
These include popular figures such as Jay Boogie, born Daniel Nsikan, James Brown, baptized as James Obialor, ‘Miss Sahhar’, Noni Salma, and many others.
The parents described the “Bobrisky phenomenon” as a widespread issue that necessitates punitive actions and a thorough value reorientation among Nigerian youth. Mrs Uche Daniels, a school principal, noted that while Bobrisky was convicted for misusing the Naira note, his claim of being “a social media influencer with over five million followers” is alarming.
She said, “Consider Bobrisky’s over five million followers on social media, which is a significant number, including our children who are slowly accepting and adopting an inappropriate lifestyle.
“He declared in court that he is a social media influencer, but the real question is whether his influence is beneficial or detrimental to our society and moral values.
“Think about how many of these followers are children whose sexual orientations have been altered due to his influence and how many future ‘Bobriskys’ he has influenced?
“Our moral structure is deteriorating and the future needs to be safeguarded, we must voice our concerns urgently,” she added.
Mrs Zainab Ododo, a parent and culture enthusiast, shared her recent experience, “I attended an event in a different part of the country and what I witnessed brought me to tears.
“I saw a group of young boys dressed in women’s clothing, wearing women’s hairstyles and makeup without any sense of embarrassment, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were truly Nigerians.”
