As part of activities aimed at promoting the holistic development of the girl-child, the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Lagos State Chapter, has commemorated the 2025 International Day of the Girl-Child with the students of Keke High School, Ijaiye Housing Estate, Ifako-Agege, Lagos.
The programme, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis,” ignited determination among the girls to become leaders in all spheres of life — ready to influence their communities and drive positive change. The participants were inspired to intervene constructively in their environments, make an impact within their communities, and contribute to the progress of the state and the nation. They were also challenged to live out the year’s theme, while prioritising safety and resisting peer pressure.
Addressing the students, the Chairman of the occasion and President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (Lagos State Branch), Dr Funmi Ige, urged the girls to take up leadership roles, reminding them that they possess diverse talents to lead and make an impact on society. She encouraged them to seize every opportunity to serve — whether in school or in their communities — noting that every act of service helps build confidence and leadership capacity.
“Stop hiding your talents,” she said. “Leadership has no gender; every girl deserves the chance to lead and be heard. So, see every opportunity to lead as a chance to use your skills to influence others and drive positive change. Education and mentorship remain the most powerful tools for empowerment. Never toy with your academics, because education shapes your future and helps you become the girl-child you are meant to be.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline at the event, the Chairman of Lagos State ALPs, Pharm. (Mrs) Yewande Olorunsola, encouraged the girls to dream big and become intentional change-makers in their generation. She also urged the government to strengthen implementation of policies that promote the welfare and education of the girl-child.
She highlighted the crucial role of education in shaping the future of girls and called for concerted government efforts to ensure that no child is left behind.
“I want to earnestly appeal to the Lagos State Government to intensify its efforts in safeguarding the welfare of the girl-child across all communities in the state,” she said. “As healthcare professionals and advocates for the wellbeing of women and children, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of poverty, abuse, inadequate healthcare, and lack of education on young girls.
“We urge the government to prioritise policies that ensure access to quality education, menstrual hygiene support, comprehensive healthcare, and protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation. By investing in the holistic development of the girl-child, Lagos State will not only secure a brighter future for its daughters but also strengthen the foundation of a healthier, more equitable society.”
In her keynote address, Pharm. (Mrs) Modupe Alli emphasised the importance of empowering young girls to overcome societal barriers such as gender inequality, lack of education, and gender-based violence. She referenced the association’s theme, “Empowering the Girl-Child: Unlocking Future Potentials Amidst Global Challenges,” encouraging the girls to recognise their strengths, embrace leadership roles, and serve as agents of positive change within their communities.
Alli offered practical guidance for achieving their goals, urging them to be ambitious, visionary, courageous, and disciplined. She advised them to build strong networks, seek mentorship, stay focused, and resist distractions or intimidation from society. She noted that success begins with passion, planning, and collaboration with like-minded individuals and supportive stakeholders.
The Chairman of the Lagos ALPs Committee on the International Day of the Girl-Child, Pharm. (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Agbeniyi, expressed the association’s delight in supporting the education and wellbeing of girls. She said that as the women’s wing of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), ALPs believes strongly in championing the cause of the female gender — as “when you train a girl, you train a nation.”
She echoed the views of her counterparts, calling for greater government intervention for underserved girls in communities across the nation. She also stressed that parents, schools, and communities play vital roles in nurturing confidence, safety, and purpose in girls.
Speaking on the topic, “The Girl Child a Change-Leader”, Pharm (Mrs) Folashade Kotun, explained the personality of a girl child, her talents, challenges and vulnerability, as she urged the girls to be confident in themselves and refuse all attempts to be silenced or molested by perpetrators of wickedness in the society.
She made them realise the need to be intentional in their endeavours, while pursuing the vision to be change leaders to impact their communities positively. “The change you are seeking must be positive, in the right direction, and must be to the benefits of others,’ she charged.
Also speaking at the programme, Pharm.(Mrs) Abola Paul-Ozieh, urged the girls to be determined to be the change they want to see, by identifying their passion, take small steps, and empower themselves through skills acquisition, reading and mentorship.
Citing different examples of girls who changed their communities like Malala, Greta and others, she encouraged them to acquire communication skills, problem-solving, collaboration and self confidence, to impact positively.
n an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline Pharm. Agbeniyi said: “The Nigerian government must recognise and uplift the powerful voices of girls who are not just survivors of crises but courageous leaders shaping the path to a better future. From conflict zones in the Northeast to climate-affected communities in the Niger Delta, girls continue to bear the heaviest burdens — facing displacement, early marriage, sexual violence, and barriers to education.
“Yet, even in these trying circumstances, girls are standing up as advocates, caregivers, peacebuilders, and innovators. They are not just victims; they are agents of change. It is time for our leaders to prioritise policies that protect girls’ rights, ensure their education, and provide platforms for their leadership, especially in crisis response and recovery efforts.
“We call on the Nigerian government to commit to gender-responsive governance by investing in girl-centred programmes, enforcing child protection laws, and amplifying the voices of girls at all levels of decision-making.”
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