***Focuses on Social Media Influence challenges

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Commission (PWC) celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child by addressing concerns over the negative influence of social media.

Held at Junior Secondary School, Karomanjigi, in Abuja, the celebration aimed to empower young girls and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

Though the International Day of the Girl Child took place on The 11th of October, 2024, the PWC northern region decided to celebrate it on the 30th of October, 2024.

The National Chairperson of the PWC, Comrade Engineer Mary-Anne Ada Mbanaso, who served as the event’s special guest of honor emphasized the commission’s commitment to the event, which is marked annually across all four zones: Warri, Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Kaduna. “Each zone celebrates this day to raise awareness and empower girls,” she stated, encouraging the girls to believe in themselves, know their rights under the Child Rights Act, and aspire to any career they choose.

Comrade Mbanasso also discussed the challenges young girls face, particularly due to social media as she urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities and apply parental controls, highlighting the importance of guidance and counseling in today’s technology-driven world. 

“Parents must pay close attention and instill strong values to prepare their children for the future,” she said.

In her inspiring message, Mbanasso shared her own journey, recalling her determination to become an engineer despite her father’s wish for her to study medicine. She encouraged the girls to pursue their passions, view challenges as opportunities, and communicate openly with their parents about their goals. “You are the future. Hard work pays off. Believe in your dreams, overcome obstacles, and stay focused,” she urged, emphasizing confidence and resilience.
The National Deputy Chairperson of Pengassan Women Commission who is also the Kaduna Zonal Chairperson, Comrade Yetunde Rufus-Adelakun aka Mama Yetty who organised the event reflected on this year’s theme, “The Future of the Girl Child,” emphasizing the importance of empowering young girls through education, particularly in fields like STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

“This day is significant,” she said, “because it’s about investing in the future of young girls. We need to instill the value of education, making sure girls understand its importance. Through STEM, we are opening doors for them in fields that can shape their future and drive innovation.”

Mama Yetty acknowledged the growing concerns around social media and societal pressures that can influence young girls. She stressed the importance of community support, guidance, and positive reinforcement. “The NDLEA and other stakeholders are here to ensure children have the right knowledge about society today. We want our girls and boys to become champions, to stand tall in their goals, and not let negative influences sway them.”

Her message called on young girls to study hard, pursue their dreams, and become leaders who can spread the value of education to other girls, especially in rural areas.

Theme: Girls’ Vision for the Future – Catch Them Young’

The FCT TUCWC Chairperson,Comrade Sandra Nnenna Ogbonna, highlighted the necessity of collective support in nurturing empowered young girls. She pointed out the unique vulnerabilities that girls face and stressed the importance of instilling positive habits and values early on.

Comrade Ogbonna advocated for parental vigilance in the digital age, emphasizing that young girls are increasingly susceptible to the pitfalls of social media. She recommended practical limitations on device usage, encouraging parents to prioritize educational focus before granting access to technology. “Parents should proactively educate their children about the good and the harmful, guiding them toward positive choices,” she stated.
Ogbonna also emphasized the need for a community-driven approach to child-rearing, encouraging parents to be open to input from educators and caregivers. “No one person raises a child alone. Community feedback can significantly shape a child’s behavior and choices,” she remarked, calling for a revival of communal support in nurturing values.
She concluded with a call to action for parents to prioritize open communication within their households and communities to foster positive growth and development in young girls. “Listening to and valuing input from others is crucial for raising children with the right values,” she affirmed.
The event being part of PENGASSAN Women commission outreach in Kaduna Zone, aimed to inspire girls to dream big and recognize the importance of education and self-empowerment for success. 
The PWC donated Sanitary towels to firm support for the girls in the school for hygiene and ease of availability.
There were also health talks on Cancer of the breast, Child’s rights, Drug Abuse and gifts of educational materials as well as presents to the overall best students in each set in the GSS Karomanjiji school.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was on hand to also guide the children against the dangers in drug abuse and the negative consequences.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers was also represented to exposed the girls to the issues around their rights as well as the Girl Child Right.

Leaders of faith, culture, civil society, and the media are set to converge in Enugu on October 31, 2024, a historic town hall meeting aimed at addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
Organized by the West Africa Broadcast & Media Academy (WABMA) Media Development Foundation and supported by the Ford Foundation, the town hall will bring together over 100 leaders from South East Nigeria to create a unified front against SGBV.
The event will be the first of its kind in which such a large-scale gathering of faith and cultural leaders has been dedicated to confronting SGBV in the region.
It aims to empower leaders to speak out against the violence and drive cultural shifts in attitudes toward gender-based violence.

“SGBV remains deeply rooted in societal norms, and addressing it requires changes in our cultural and faith-based practices,” said Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo, coordinator of WABMA’s Amplifying the Voices of Leaders of Faith and Culture Project. “We need leaders to be outspoken when it matters and to showcase those who are already actively fighting gender-based violence.”

Dr. Ken Ike Okere, Executive Director of the WABMA Foundation, emphasized the importance of leveraging influential voices to inspire change.
“When leaders of faith and culture take a stand, their voices can spark meaningful social shifts and motivate communities to act against gender-based violence,” Okere said, reaffirming WABMA’s dedication to using media as a powerful tool for societal transformation.

With a history of impactful social change initiatives across West Africa, WABMA has led projects like Project Fact Check Nigeria, a media literacy initiative with the US Consulate, and a collaboration with GIZ to enhance the response capabilities of the Gambia Police Force on SGBV issues.
Through this town hall, WABMA seeks to amplify these efforts, using cultural and faith-based perspectives to address and reduce SGBV across Nigerian communities.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Children Parliament has called for enhanced political support to facilitate programs aimed at ensuring girls have access to quality education, healthcare, and economic independence.

During a special session held to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, 14-year-old Jamila Aliyu Abdulkadir, a student from Dutse Model International Secondary School, presided over the proceedings.
The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, honored her by temporarily vacating his seat.

Jamila commended Governor Umar Namadi and the Speaker for their efforts in implementing policies that have increased school enrollment for girls. “Every girl dreams of quality education, good healthcare, digital skills, leadership opportunities, and economic independence,” she stated. She stressed that all girls deserve a safe environment, access to quality education, and a healthy lifestyle as they grow.

She urged leaders to enact laws that empower girls and promote gender equality, ensuring protection against gender-based violence and access to education and healthcare.

Students also voiced their support during the session.
Hassanah Aboyeji, representing the Dutse local government area, expressed gratitude to Governor Umar Namadi for prioritizing girl-child education by providing free education at all levels. She noted the removal of fees and the provision of essential learning materials, which led to a 43% increase in enrollment and retention rates for girls.

Esther Maiyaki, representing the Buji state constituency, highlighted that girls, if given the right opportunities, can significantly contribute to the healthcare system, as females comprise 44% of the state’s population.
She raised concerns about maternal mortality, stating that many women and girls die from preventable causes during childbirth.
“We can advocate for better healthcare,” she asserted, thanking the state government for its initiatives to reduce maternal mortality rates through free healthcare services and training for healthcare workers.

In recognition of his contributions to promoting girl-child education, the students presented the Speaker with an award of excellence.

Earlier in the session, the Speaker emphasized the assembly’s commitment to empowering women and addressing the nationwide challenge of out-of-school children. He mentioned that state legislators are implementing interventions in their constituencies to tackle this issue, including investigating the number of out-of-school children to find sustainable solutions.

He also referenced the passage of the Jigawa State Child Protection Act in 2021, which aims to safeguard children’s rights and ensure that parents and authorities uphold their responsibilities in protecting children, particularly in terms of access to education and healthcare for girls.