The Chief Whip of the Delta State House of Assembly and member representing Sapele Constituency, Honourable Perkins Umukoro, has called for greater emotional, economic, and institutional support for men, stressing that fathers play critical yet often underappreciated roles in society.
Umukoro, who made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen in Sapele, noted that while women have long enjoyed increased attention in terms of empowerment and policy-based intervention, men—particularly fathers—still face mounting pressures with limited platforms for assistance.
The lawmaker, who is also a prominent grassroots mobiliser, said, “The modern father faces enormous responsibilities, including financial burdens, the duty of mentoring children, and keeping the family united. Yet, there are few initiatives aimed at supporting men. This needs to change.”
According to him, while he is a strong supporter of women empowerment and gender equity, it is equally important to design mechanisms that address the mental health, economic sustainability, and parenting roles of men, especially at the community level.
Umukoro further stated that Father’s Day should serve as more than a ceremonial celebration, but as an opportunity to reflect on the needs and struggles of fathers, many of whom sacrifice their own wellbeing to meet the needs of their families.
“Our society must begin to create safe spaces and support systems for men to share their burdens without fear of being judged as weak,” he said, adding that social services, employment schemes, counselling programmes, and legal protections should be made more accessible to fathers at all levels.
He also used the opportunity to urge fathers across the state and country to continue playing their roles with courage and compassion, reminding them that their efforts, though sometimes overlooked, are shaping the future of the nation.
“To every father out there doing his best despite the odds — we see you, we celebrate you, and we must do more to support you,” he said.
The Delta lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to promoting legislative advocacy that would address family-related challenges and ensure more inclusive social policies in Delta State.
