By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela and Zainab Olufemi
President of Nigerian Girl Guides Association (NGGA), Dame Abimbola Fashola, has urged Nigerians to recognise the potentials of young girls.
She spoke at the 105 Anniversary Celebration of the NGGA.
Dame Fashola said: “Today is about envisioning the future. It’s about recognizing the untapped potential within every young girl and ensuring they have the resources to thrive. Our society needs dynamic, visionary and empathetic leaders and these leaders are among us – the young girls we nurture, the students we mentor and the youths we inspire.”
She advised girls and young women to seize every opportunity and believe in their capabilities.
NGGA Commissioner Deaconess Rhoda Thomas stressed the impact the association has had on many girls and young women across the country.
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“Many girls and young women across Nigeria have shared heartwarming testimonies about the impact of our work. We are always thrilled to hear the success stories and see the tangible difference we make in their lives,” she stated.
Thomas added that the association has been igniting change through trainings and advocacy they initiated for girls and young women, adding that some of the programs include Free Being Me, Action on Body Confidence, Stop the Violence, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Her World Her Voice, Plant and Nurture, Plastic Tide Turners among others.
NGGA National Training Commissioner, Dr Helen Obi, stated that the 105 Anniversary was not meant for celebration only but to also train and empower girls and young women.
“We are not just celebrating but also here to train girls and the nature of our training is such that it is non-formal education. You learn through experiences and through activities, so must of the things we do whenever we have activities are mainly practical,” she said.
NGGA National Youth Commissioner Asmau Naphattti said: “The association has positively impacted my lives, it has made me grown from the shy Asmau to the outspoken one right now, and I would say that this association has instilled in me a sense of responsibility and purpose because right now, i feel like guiding is more like a lifestyle and not an association,” she said.