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The Nigerian government, private sector, and society at large have been urged to intensify efforts to empower girls, as doing so is crucial to national growth, social stability, and sustainable development. This call came at the annual SheRose Conference organized by FAB Treasure Foundation in partnership with Rejoice George Outreach, where over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Idu, Abuja, were mentored under the theme “When Girls Rise.” Speaking at the event on Friday, Abigail Festus, the Executive Director of FAB Treasure Foundation and convener of the conference, said the initiative seeks to address the limited opportunities facing young girls in underserved communities. She emphasized that empowering girls goes beyond charity, it is an investment in the nation’s human capital, saying, “Empowering the girl child is something I am deeply passionate about, not just in words, but in action. “This job is for the whole of our society, our governments at all levels, the private sector and well-meaning Nigerians, including parents, because they have the human, technical and capital resources to empower our girl-child and make her confident in herself and globally competitive. “Every time I meet young girls, I see so much potential waiting to be discovered. Many of them have big dreams, but society doesn’t always give them the space or tools to grow. “That is why, both as an individual and through FAB Treasure Foundation, we are very intentional about reaching out to girls, especially those in schools and communities that people often overlook. We go to those places because every girl, no matter where she comes from, deserves to rise. “We believe that when a girl is empowered, she begins to see herself differently, she starts to believe she can do more and be more. “So, for us, this work is not just a program, it’s a calling. We do it because we know that one inspired girl can change everything”. In his remarks, veteran journalist Mac Imoni Amarere, Chairman of the Foundation’s Advisory Board, challenged the students to see themselves as leaders of today, not tomorrow. “When one girl rises, she opens the door for a thousand more. When Nigerian girls rise, Nigeria rises,” he declared, urging them to dream beyond their circumstances. Focusing on practical empowerment, in her presentation on menstrual health and hygiene, the Federal Capital Territory Chairperson of the Association of Lady Pharmacists, Pharm Lilian Agwaza, encouraged the girls to view menstruation with pride and maintain confidence through proper self-care. Rejoice George, Executive Director of Rejoice George Outreach, described girl empowerment as “a rise for humanity,” noting that when girls are educated and supported, poverty declines and peace prevails. She said: “The rise of girls is not the fall of anyone else. It is a rise for humanity. When girls rise, poverty declines. When girls rise, peace prevails. When girls rise, the world becomes brighter, fairer, and stronger.” Similarly, Sophia Toyin Arowosegbe, Executive Director of the Sophia Nadia Foundation, said every girl carries a purpose powerful enough to influence her world. “When a girl understands who she is, she stops competing and starts becoming. Her uniqueness is her gift to the world,” she said. The school head, Mr. Obasanjo Funsho, commended the foundation for investing in the students’ future, saying the ripple effect of their empowerment will continue to shape lives for years to come. The event’s highlight was the distribution of over 200 free sanitary pads to participants, along with mentorship and interactive sessions where the girls engaged in insightful discussions on leadership, self-confidence, and purpose.
