Anambra NAWOJ Celebrates Girl-Child Day, Calls for Equal Opportunities, Greater Supports

By Ukpa Ewa

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra State Chapter, has called for stronger support for the girl child, insisting that education, protection and equal opportunities remain the foundation for raising confident and productive women.

The call was made in Awka during an event marking the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, held at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre with the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Need: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis.”

The celebration brought together students from ten public and private secondary schools across the state to amplify their voices, build confidence, and inspire them to take charge of their destinies.

In her keynote address, the Anambra State Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, described the girl child as a potential leader, nation builder and voice capable of shaping the destiny of her generation.

She emphasized the need for all round grooming academically, morally, physically, and emotionally urging girls to overcome challenges such as gender bias, early marriage, abuse and negative social media influences.

The commissioner lamented that mobile phones and online distractions have diverted many girls from their studies and ambitions. She disclosed that the government has established systems to protect the girl child from sexual violence and hinted at plans to create a dedicated counseling clinic for young girls to seek help without stigma.

“When parents groom their daughters well, they are raising future leaders. Every girl must walk tall, dream boldly and remember that the world needs her light,” she said.

On her part, the Chairman of Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSC), Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, speaking on “Career Guide for a Promising Future for Young Girls,” said education remains the most powerful weapon for empowerment and equality.

She urged girls to aspire to higher education, cautioning against examination malpractice, cultism and the lure of quick money.

“No girl should go into marriage without a degree,” she stressed. “Education and skills are the licenses that will take you far in life.”

Prof. Ikediugwu commended Governor Charles Soludo for his commitment to education, youth empowerment and moral development, describing his policies as instrumental to building confident and productive young women.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, lamented cultural practices that still limit women opportunities. She encouraged the girls to build self esteem and believe in their potential as they were nation builders emphasizing that they must be proud of who they are and never let society make them feel inferior.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Chairperson of NAWOJ Anambra State, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika, said the theme resonates deeply with the association vision to promote female leadership, resilience and self expression.

“In the Southeast, our culture does not always encourage the voice of the girl child. NAWOJ is determined to change that narrative by giving them a platform to speak, grow and lead,” she said.

She explained that the association uses such engagements to equip girls with the knowledge and confidence to handle crisis situations and gender based violence.

Other speakers at the event included the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and the Founder of Kaycoune Success Empowerment Initiative spoke on the themes of resilience, self-worth and leadership.

Some participating students including Bosah Chioma (Community Secondary School, Umuokpu Awka), Ucheji Marvelous (Union Secondary School, Amawbia), Okafor Juliet (Community Secondary School, Okpuno) and Chikelu Christabel (Gold Seal International College) all expressed gratitude to NAWOJ for inspiring them to become agents of change. They described the event as life changing and pledged to share what they learned with their peers in school.