In a world where traditional masculinity is being redefined, men struggle to cope with the pressures of modern life. Stigma surrounding mental health, societal expectations, and a lack of emotional support all have a negative impact on men’s well-being. But there is hope. The Triple G Conference shines a light on the crises facing modern men and provides a platform for them to open up, share their experiences and find support. write mary na
Behind a façade of confidence and strength, many men struggle to cope with the pressures of modern life. The mask of masculinity, once a symbol of strength and resilience, has become a barrier to emotional expression and vulnerability. Men often find themselves stuck in a cycle of silence and suffering as they navigate complex situations such as relationships, careers, and social expectations.
Cracks are beginning to show in a society where men are conditioned to be strong, stoic, and indomitable. The pressure to conform to traditional notions of masculinity is devastating to men’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. The statistics are alarming. Depression, anxiety, and suicide rates among men are on the rise. A growing sense of disconnection and isolation. and lack of emotional intelligence and vulnerability.
It is against this backdrop that the first edition of the Triple G (Groom, Grow, Grind) conference was recently held in Lagos. Convened by Sola Oyebade, also known as Mr. Mahogany, the event spotlighted the crises facing modern men and provided a platform for men to open up, share experiences and learn from others.
This conference was designed to be a safe space for honest and open conversations about the challenges men face. “We want to create a platform where men can talk to each other honestly and openly, where they can talk about the facts and not just come and say, oh, I’m great, I’m great, I’ve built a great business,” Mahogany explained.
“Let people understand that. What did I go through? What kind of suffering did I go through? How many ups and downs did I go through? What’s complicated about having relationships, working with people, like we talked about today about emotional intelligence?”
“I’m Triple G I wanted to start the conference because I realized that men weren’t supporting men, and when I looked outside I said, “What do men need?” I mean, there are a lot of events for women, but men aren’t supporting men. And I’ve talked to a lot of young men and they just seem lost. They don’t seem to have direction, they don’t have mentors, they don’t understand what’s the right thing to do and how to talk to women,” Mahogany said in an exclusive interview with THISDAY.
The conference featured four main sessions: the Men’s Grooming Panel (“The Habits of the Modern Gentleman”), the Health & Wellness Fireside Chat (“Not Just for the Gram, Perfect for Life”), the Business & Finance Panel (“Boss Moves, the Soft Life”), and the Leadership Panel (“Leaders Without the Suits”).
The event brought together industry experts including Jason Poshe, Ugo Monye, Dr. Ibukun Tunde Oni, Samuel Ayowole, Ayo Akinola, Dr. Yemi, Kunmi Ariyo and Sola Oyebade (Mr. Mahogany) to share their knowledge and experiences.
One of the key issues discussed at the conference was the ingrained toxic masculinity in our society. Mahogany believes the pressure to conform to society’s expectations of what it means to be a man can be immense.
“Men are expected to be strong, pay all the bills, and be tough all the time,” he said. “But life isn’t like that anymore. There’s so much going on. We’re in a country like Nigeria. The economy isn’t necessarily good for us. Women are doing much better than men these days. If you look at a lot of women, they’re moving from good middle management to senior management. That means some women are starting to earn more than men. That puts even more pressure on men.”
The conference also highlighted the importance of mental health and the need for men to prioritize their health. “Men are suffering in silence, and it’s impacting their relationships and productivity,” Mahogany said.
“We need to create a safe space for men to talk about their struggles and get help when they need it. Even if you have someone to talk to, I feel like there’s a stigma in being able to go out and say, ‘I’m struggling with a mental health issue.’ I want to go see a therapist, but that becomes a problem,” he added.
As the conversation around men’s mental health and wellness continues to evolve, one thing is clear. That means the status quo is no longer acceptable. “I don’t think we’re completely ready to disrupt the status quo and redefine what it means to be a man,” Mahogany admitted. “And I’m saying that based on the numbers. Sure, there are a few people who are ready, but the majority are not. And I think the reason the majority is not ready is because they haven’t been educated to be ready.”
The Triple G Conference is a step in the right direction, but it’s just the beginning. The real work begins now. Mahogany says, “We’re going to host Triple G every year and host smaller seminars and workshops to support men on their journey to becoming their best selves. We’re not just talking about one event, we’re building a movement.”
