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  • Association celebrates girl-child

    Association celebrates girl-child

    • By Aishat Ahmed, Faith Ajiboye, Bolatito Akande and Kaothar Abdulateef

    The Nigerian Girl Guides Association (NGGA) has joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child in Bariga, Lagos.

    The event was aimed at promoting empowerment, education, and leadership among girls while advocating for their inclusion in national development.

    The celebration, themed around inspiring confidence and self-reliance, underscored the need to give girls equal opportunities to learn, lead, and influence change within their communities.

    Chief Commissioner of the NGGA, Deaconess Rhoda Thomas, described the celebration as a reminder that girls are not just beneficiaries of progress but active contributors to social transformation.

    “Empowering the girl child strengthens society, enhances inclusion, and ensures a more equitable future,” she said.

    International Commissioner, Mrs. Tejuri Okirigbe, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to nurturing young girls through structured programmes centred on leadership, discipline, and self-protection.

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    She called on the government and relevant stakeholders to reinforce child-protection policies and integrate guiding activities into school curricula, noting that such initiatives would foster civic responsibility and community engagement among girls.

    Senior Manager at IHS, Mrs. Peace Ugoala, shared her journey of resilience and determination, reflecting the theme of empowerment in action. She recounted her early career struggles and the challenges of gaining experience without mentorship, explaining how she overcame them through persistence, continuous learning, and self-belief.

    Her story, she said, was driven by the determination to rise above poverty, achieve financial independence, and prove that women can excel in technical and leadership roles.

    Ugoala urged the girls to stay focused, keep learning, and never give up on their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face.

    A final-year student of Excel College, Victoria Esenwa, shared her excitement and lessons from the day.

    “I feel overjoyed because this day is one where girls are motivated to come out of their shade, to be open and to lead,” she said.

    Victoria noted that some girls lose hope due to challenges such as molestation and stigmatisation, often rooted in family or societal constraints.

    She advised girls facing such difficulties to seek support through mentorship and positive associations, saying it motivates them to break free from fear and limitation.

  • Council launches project to empower the girl-child

    Council launches project to empower the girl-child

    Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has unveiled SHE Project, an initiative to advance the safety, hygiene, and education of girls in the community.

    The project, launched by Chairman of the council, Adetola Abubakar, is designed to empower girls and promote equal access to opportunities.

    Speaking at the event, Abubakar described the initiative as a major component of her administration’s social development agenda.

    She stressed importance of protecting and educating girls, while also promoting personal hygiene as a means of improving their health and confidence.

     “Parents must ensure their children are safe and properly cared for. There should be no tolerance for violence against children, and the hygiene of the girl child should be given attention. Every girl deserves access to quality education and opportunity to excel,” she said.

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    Abubakar said the Department of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the council will coordinate the project, which includes monthly outreach programmes and distribution of hygiene materials to schools and households.

    “We will not stop at this event. The initiative will be sustained monthly and extended to schools and communities through CDAs and CDCs,” she added.

    Head of WAPA, Oluwatoyin Adeyemi, lauded the chairman and noted importance of menstrual hygiene and education for adolescent girls.

    “Girls must maintain proper hygiene and understand that they are capable of achieving great things. In Lagos today, women are making remarkable progress — we can do what men do, and even better,” she said.

    Also speaking at the event, Oluwakemi Lawal, The Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos (Sustainability), urged young girls to embrace confidence and ambition.

    “I am proud to be a girl child. My message to every girl is to be proud of who you are. Be ambitious, intentional, and audacious. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams,” she said.

    The event, attended by pupils from ten primary and four junior secondary schools in the LCDA, featured interactive sessions and the distribution of hygiene kits to the girls.

  • Girls urged to dream big, stay focused

    Girls urged to dream big, stay focused

    In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl-Child, Priceless Virtues International hosted the Lagos International Day of the Girl-Child Conference on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at First Baptist Church, Ikeja. The event brought together schoolgirls from across Lagos to be inspired, educated, and empowered to embrace their potential and live purpose-driven lives.

    Themed “Reach for the Stars,” the event focused on helping young girls rise above social limitations, distractions, and self-doubt. 

    Convener and Founder, Priceless Virtues International, Oluwatobi Ola-Adetimole, emphasised the importance of resilience and intentional living.

    “We are here to tell girls that it is possible to become their dreams, reaching for the stars may seem impossible, but it is doable. I once stood where they are—facing disappointments and uncertainty—but I turned my challenges into stepping stones.”

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    The conference featured a panel session where invited guests and female professionals from diverse fields shared personal experiences of overcoming setbacks to fulfill their dreams.

    Keynote speaker Amarachi Ubani, Head of the Foreign Desk at Channels Television, emphasized the importance of documenting goals and staying committed to one’s purpose.

    “At age 10, I wrote in my diary that I would become a journalist and travel the world, now, over 30 years later, I see that dream fulfilled, that early act of journaling kept me aligned with my purpose, even when life got difficult,” she said.

    Ubani encouraged the girls to embrace self-discovery, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and seek divine direction.

    She added, “Sometimes children have to raise themselves, because sometimes our parents, yes, they want the best for you, but they might not really be directing you in the way that you should go, so that’s why you need to know your strengths and you need to know your weaknesses.   

    And then you need to trust God to lead you in those directions. And then also pray that God will bring the people in your life that you need to help you to get to where you need to go to. It’s very important, and you pray to God to ask to bring the people in your life because there will be lots of distractions along the way.”

    In a self elating session on sexual purity, Victoria Bamigbola, Coordinator of the Sexual Purity Academy – Lagos Community, challenged the girls to uphold purity as a form of self-respect and purpose preservation.

    She said, “Sexual purity is not old-fashioned—it’s wisdom, when you choose purity, you protect your future. It’s not just about saying ‘no’ to pressure; it’s about saying ‘yes’ to your value and your destiny.”

    She emphasized that purity is not merely a rule to follow, but a mindset that fosters dignity, focus, and long-term success.

    Adding a fun and intellectually engaging twist to the event, the conference also featured a Spelling Bee Competition, where participating girls showcased their academic excellence. Winners, Imola Comprehensive High School and Legacy Villa schools received prizes as a reward for their effort and to further motivate a culture of excellence among peers.

    Ola-Adetimole closed the conference with a compelling reminder, saying, “If you don’t stay focused, you’ll still grow old. But what story will you tell when you do? Choose now to live intentionally so you can inspire others with your journey in the future.”

  • AHF seeks supportive policies for access to healthcare, empowerment of girl-child

    AHF seeks supportive policies for access to healthcare, empowerment of girl-child

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has called for supportive programmes and policies that would expand access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women in Akwa Ibom.

    It also called for increased investment in the prevention, testing and treatment programs for the Human Immuno Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection (HIV/STI) as well as comprehensive sexuality education, revealing that over 4000 young women aged 15-24 have been infected with HIV weekly with more than 3,300 of those cases in sub-saharan African.

    The Nigeria Country Programmes Director of AHF, Dr Echey Ijezie made the call on Friday during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child held at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku, Ubo, Offot, Uyo. The theme of 2025 celebration is, “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontline of crisis.”

    Ijezie who stated that the event was aimed at protecting girls from HIV, honor their achievements, and reinforce the urgent need to expand opportunities for them to thrive and stay healthy, lamented that young girls still face challenges of poor menstrual health and limited access to reproductive health services.

    He, therefore called for actions to address period poverty, promote comprehensive sexuality education, and combat gender-based violence and child marriage which he termed as key drivers to health inequality.

    “International Day of the Girl, observed annually on October 11, is a time to celebrate girls’ accomplishments, amplify their voices, and advocate for policies that protect their health and futures. Through its Girls Act program, AHF empowers girls and young women in nearly 40 countries with the knowledge, support, and resources to remain free from HIV and other STIs, adhere to treatment for girls living with HIV, stay in school, and avoid unplanned pregnancies.” The statement partly read.

    In her Keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom, Hon Inibehe Silas Etukudo said despite the challenges girls face in the state,they are still breaking barriers in all their endeavors demonstrating that crises do not define them; instead, they shape solutions.

    The Commissioner promised to create opportunities where their voices and ideas would be heard, their leadership nurtured, and their potentials unleashed even as she revealed that the state was working towards securing funding and programs that would empower girls-from scholarships to health initiatives.

    She added, “Education remains the cornerstone of this vision. Every girl in Akwa Ibom deserves access to quality education, free from obstacles like poverty or early marriage. We must also prioritize their health, ensuring access to menstrual hygiene resources and mental health support so they can flourish. We must stand firm in protecting them from gender-based violence and discrimination, creating a state where every girl feels safe to soar.”

    Speaking with the State Cordinator of AHF, Dr. Ekemini Essien, he observed that girls all over the world are disproportionately affected by HIV AIDS and faced with a lot of abuse with very little opportunities unlike their male counterparts. He said authorities should as a matter of urgency address the issue by empowering girls with neccessary tools, knowledge and skills to excel.

    Essien encouraged the girls to be resilient and focused for a secured future.

    On her part Jessica Charles, the linkage Cordinator of AHF in the state harped on the need for a girl-child empowerment. She said empowerment must not be economic, but in terms of access to right information, healthcare, education and taking decisions. She charged the girls to always stand tall and speak up against any form of abuse

    “This is not the time when you should be shy about how you feel about your reproductive health. Speak up against any abuse. I know a lot of girls are abused, and their parents are covering up, please speak up, because there will always be somebody out there who wants to champion your cause.” She admonished.

    In an interview with one of the participants, Rhoda Vincent, she thanked AHF for identifying with the girl child and going further to empower them especially in Sexual Health Right and gender equality.

    Vincent who is the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament, reminded girls of their role as change makers and world movers even as she charged them to remain focused and dedicated not forgetting to take their menstrual hygiene seriously.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the distribution of disposable and reusable sanitary pads, toiletries and talk on menstrual hygiene.

  • Foundation celebrates girl-child, urges them to pursue future dreams

    Foundation celebrates girl-child, urges them to pursue future dreams

    To commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, the Priceless Virtues International Initiative inspired hundreds of young girls to chase their dreams and unlock their full potential.

    At the “Lagos International Day of the Girl Child Conference” held on October 11, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Ikeja, Lagos, over 500 schoolgirls gathered under the theme “Dream Big: Your Vision Is Your Future.”

    Oluwatobi Ola-Adetimole, Founder of Priceless Virtues International Initiative, encouraged the girls to be bold and pursue their passions without hesitation, emphasising that they possess everything needed to achieve their goals.

    She said: “Break off that shackle, God has a lot in store for you. And you should not hinder yourself or lose opportunities because you want to cave in, you have a voice, it might be from writing, it might be from drawing. It might be from poetry, it might be from singing a song, it might be from just contributing in the class, doing all of this and before you know it, your light is going to shine.”

    Wife of Daniel Olawande, renowned Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) The Envoys Pastor, Pastor Nifemi Olwande pushed for equality between men and women saying women are being degraded and abused which is detrimental because women can do great things.

    “From my perspective, the agenda for equality wasn’t because they’re trying to take over it was because the female gender was being underutilized the female gender was being abused the female gender was being made to feel lesser right so if there is any push that I encourage is that people will see the female gender as a beautiful creature of God and that they can also do great things okay so I push for women at the forefront women not being degraded because they are women so that’s what I wish for that’s what I speak for right.

    I hope that we’ll see more women being at the forefront and doing great things.”

    Fitness professional and dietitian, Bunmi George urged girls to dream big and take steps that push them to their desired greatness.

    “You need to dream big because you are forecasting for your future and then you can make necessary steps. If you don’t have a vision and you can’t see where you’re going, you’re not going to be able to take the steps. So I admonish you to dream big, bigger than the stars, shoot for the galaxies, and then take steps every single day and make the right choices that will get them to their goal.”

    She further urged girls to ensure they make the right decisions to foster their success in life.

    She said: “You are valuable it’s not by your gender or your sex that god has made you be a valuable woman reach for the stars, work hard make the right decisions and because like I said when in my session, your life is a sum of either good or bad decisions your choices make who you become so if you’re going to make good choices you’re going to become good and if you make bad choices it’s inevitable.”

    The foundation has been in the business of educating and empowering girls via boot camps and scholarship programs, where they help girls who are from underprivileged homes achieve their dreams.

    Stating the foundation’s successes, Oluwatobi Ola-Adetimole, said that it has successfully returned over 50 girls back to school and currently has two girls studying abroad through their MasterCard Foundation scholarship program.

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    “We’ve helped over 50 girls return to school, currently, we have two girls from our mentoring program who have won the MasterCard Foundation scholarship, one is studying pharmacy, and the other is studying Software Engineering at United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya. So everything we do in Priceless Virtues is for girls, and by extension, women.

    So we hope that in the nearest future, women and girls will be able to stand up for their rights, and perhaps if they no longer have a seat at the table, they can construct the table by themselves, construct chairs, you know, and do everything that God has destined them to.”

    The event featured award giving, a spelling bee competition, networking, panel sessions and discussion, and question and answer sessions.

  • ‘Women, girl-child need empowerment’

    ‘Women, girl-child need empowerment’

    Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi, has urged  stakeholders to seek ways to improve  women and the girl-child as the world marks 2024 International Women’s Day.

    Ojelab, in a statement yesterday, described the theme, ‘Invest in women: Accelerate Progress’, as ‘apt as gender equality, women and girls’ empowerment, and right to healthier lives, need to be given attention’.

    According to him, exposing women and the girl-child to self development and self-depedence would reduce sexual and gender-based violence, assault, harassment, early pregnancy, among others.

    Read Also: Oke’s wife pledges free education for girl-child in Ondo

    Ojelabi restated that  government and private sector should invest in women and children through empowerment ‘because it is by so doing the nation would develop its human resources’.

    The chairman canvassed the need for more women to enjoy priority, especially in healthcare, play leadership roles and social empowerment, because ‘women should not be subjected to discrimination, harassment, and violence at home or at their work place’.

    Ojelabi prayed God to grant women more years of celebrations.

  • Oke’s wife pledges free education for girl-child in Ondo

    Oke’s wife pledges free education for girl-child in Ondo

    Daisi Oke, the wife of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo state, Olusola Oke has promised to support the cause of free education for girls in the state.

    Speaking at a press conference in Akqqqqqure, Daisi pledged to make free education for girls the centre of attraction if her husband becomes the next governor of the state. 

    She expressed confidence that the goal would be accomplished by creating a positive atmosphere and giving parents, alumni associations, and donor agencies the assistance they require. 

    She also said her husband is the most competent candidate to lead the state as she appealed for the people’s support.

    Read Also: Strengthening efforts for girl-child education

    The school administrator recounted how she overcame obstacles to complete her studies. 

    She said: “I was able to break through the challenges that threatened my access to education, just like others in my shoes at the time.

    “I admonish the girl-child and women generally not to permit anything to break their resolve to be what they desire and which God has ordained for them in life.”

    Oke advocated for the elimination of all political, social, and cultural obstacles hindering girls and women from pursuing their educational and career aspirations.

    She urged support for her husband in winning the party’s primary and, ultimately, the governorship election, citing his exceptional qualifications to lead the state.

  • Transformative power of educating the girl-child

    Transformative power of educating the girl-child

    Sir: Education stands as the cornerstone of progress and within its embrace lies the transformative potential of the girl child. In the journey of nation-building, training a girl child is not merely an investment in an individual but a catalyst for widespread development and growth.

    The significance of educating the girl child cannot be overstated. When a girl is educated, she acquires not only knowledge but also the tools to navigate the complexities of life. Education equips her with critical thinking skills, empowering her to make informed decisions that can shape her future and contribute to the well-being of her community.

    Beyond the individual, the impact of educating a girl radiates throughout society. Studies consistently show that societies with higher levels of female education experience lower rates of poverty and greater economic stability. A girl who receives an education is more likely to participate in the workforce, thereby enhancing the overall productivity and prosperity of the nation.

    Education is a powerful equalizer, breaking down barriers and challenging societal norms. By investing in the education of the girl child, we dismantle the shackles of gender inequality. Education becomes the bridge that connects dreams to reality, enabling girls to pursue careers, lead communities, and participate actively in civic life.

    Moreover, educating the girl child has a profound effect on public health. Educated women tend to have fewer children and are more likely to provide their families with better healthcare and nutrition. This has a cascading effect on the nation’s health indicators, leading to a healthier and more resilient population.

    Read Also: ‘How to ensure girl-child’s sustainable development’

    Training a girl child means instilling values of empathy, compassion, and resilience. Educated girls often become agents of positive change, advocating for social justice and contributing to community development. Their ability to navigate challenges and adapt to evolving circumstances makes them invaluable assets in nation-building efforts.

    As we contemplate the importance of education for the girl child, it is crucial to recognize that this is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative. Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and realize her full potential. The empowerment of the girl child is synonymous with the empowerment of a nation.

    In conclusion, the education of the girl child is a potent force that transcends generations. It is an investment in the present and a gift to the future. By recognizing the importance of educating and training the girl child, we pave the way for a more equitable, prosperous, and harmonious society. Let us join hands to ensure that no girl is left behind, for in her education lies the promise of a brighter tomorrow for us all.

    • John Amabolou Elekun Iju-Ajuwon, Lagos.
  • ‘How to ensure girl-child’s sustainable development’

    ‘How to ensure girl-child’s sustainable development’

    • By Joshua Uche

    The  need to empower women to ensure sustainable development of the girl-child has been stressed. The call was made by Mrs Rumoke  Ojukwu, an activist.

    Mrs Ojukwu gave the advice in an address delivered to mark the International Day of the Girl- Child.

    The event organised by International Girl- Child and Women Development Foundation  (IGC-WODEF) held at Hope Fountain School For The Deaf at 18 Olubukola Ilorin Street, Ajala bus stop, Ojokolo, Lagos. The theme was: Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.   

    “According to the UN, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is not just a goal in itself, but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security. 

    “These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage”, she said.

    Mrs Ojukwu contended that investment in girls’ right brings about  sustainable development and good leadership pattern to the society.

    Quoting statistics from the UN, she lamented that 31million girls around the world don’t have the opportunity to pursue education while one out of every five girls in the developing world doesn’t even complete the sixth grade.

    She noted that everyday, girls are taken out of school and forced to work or marry.

    Read Also: Girl-child education gets support

    According to her, “14 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. In the developing world, poverty and traditional gender roles magnify this problem.

    “One in seven girls is married before age 15, and some child brides are married as young as nine years old. Young girls who are child brides become trapped in poverty without access to education and employment opportunities.

    “When girls have the opportunity to complete their education through secondary school, they are up to six times less likely to be married as children than girls with little or no education. Educated girls are also less likely to have unintended pregnancies as teenagers”, she argued.

    Mrs Ojukwu lamented that women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours, produce half of the world’s food, but earn only 10 per cent of the world’s income and own less than one percent of the world’s property..

    In order to achieve gender equality, she advised that women and men must have equal employment opportunities and receive equal pay.

  • Girl-child education key to ending GBV, FGM, early marriage

    Girl-child education key to ending GBV, FGM, early marriage

    An International Non-Governmental Organisation, CARE Nigeria has identified education of the girl child as a factor in ending gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, early marriage, and other forms of harmful practices experienced by girls.

    The Organisation said it is also important for judges, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies to understand the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) VAPP Act.

    This was made known in Abuja by the Country Director of CARE Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu during the celebration of International Day of the Girl Child and CARE Day.

    Abdu explained that proper understanding and funding of the Act will lead to prompt implementation.

    He said: “The north has the highest concentration of out-of-school girls due to culture, poor interpretation of religion, and poverty.

    “Studies have shown that some of the development challenges we are dealing with as a nation can be addressed once we invest in girls’ education. As important as building hospitals and other infrastructures is; the preventive measures if put in place will end early marriages, gender-based violence and female genital mutilation.

    “So, girl-child education is a very serious issue that we must pay attention to if we want to end FGM, GBV, and early marriages. So, I call on the federal and State governments to put more effort into addressing gender-based violence as we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child”.

    On the implementation of the VAPP Act, Abdu said: “We are seeing a trend where the federal government and states are passing the VAPP Act but we are still seeing gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and early marriages going on and no one is prosecuted and in cases where they are prosecuted, the speed is very slow.

    Read Also: Girl-child education and promise of a better future

    “The law is not properly followed and we think it is a major concern. If we have the laws enacted, we must make sure that they are also implemented and the only way to implement the law is by funding the law.

    “We need strong political will to uphold the law and the punishment for perpetrators. It does not make sense that we pass the VAPP laws and it is not implemented”.

    He also called for capacity building for judges, law enforcement agencies, and community members to understand the law.

    Abdu said: “We also need to build the capacity of our judges to understand the details of the law and the expectation from them, build the capacity of our communities to appreciate these laws and the law enforcement agencies must also have a better understanding of the law.

    Also speaking, the GBV Lead Adviser, Gender Justice Unit, CARE USA, Joya Banerjee said enlightenment campaign has to be intensified to end the practice.

    She said: “I think it takes generation to change gender norms and practice and until we are able to educate men and women all over the world about the harms of gender-based violence, we won’t even make a dent.

    “Right now, one in three women in the world experiences sexual and physical intimate partner violence and that number has not changed or reduced for almost 30 years. So, what we need is education, funding for prevention, care for survivors, and also holding the perpetrators accountable.

    We need education to shift gender norms in households. We need to ensure that household labour and caregiving is shared equally between men and women and make sure that girls can complete their education and work in the labour force rather than being pulled out to give birth to five children before they are 18 years”.