The Senior Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the Kogi State Governor, Office of the First Lady, Janet Ovayoza Samuel, has sensitised students of Enfedam Academy, Karu, Abuja, on their rights and the need to speak out against abuse and exploitation.
Samuel also donated sanitary pads to more than 100 students during a programme organised to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, with a focus on protecting girls, promoting menstrual hygiene and discouraging child marriage.
Speaking on the topic, “Know Your Rights: Protecting the Girl Child from Abuse and Exploitation,” the journalist and girl-child advocate urged the students to understand their rights, prioritise their education and seek help whenever their safety was threatened.
She stressed that every girl deserved dignity, protection, education and equal opportunities to fulfil her potential, irrespective of her family background or present circumstances.
Samuel warned against child marriage, noting that forcing girls into marriage before they were physically and emotionally ready could disrupt their education, expose them to health risks and limit their future opportunities.
She encouraged parents and guardians to allow girls to complete their education, develop their talents and prepare for adulthood rather than subjecting them to early marriage.
The need to address child marriage remains a major concern in Nigeria. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), data from the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey showed that 33.4 per cent of young women in Nigeria were married before the age of 18. The agency also reported that more than 3.7 million women aged 20 to 24 had been married before turning 18.
In a statement issued on December 11, 2025, UNICEF said child marriage continued to undermine girls’ health, education, well-being and future employment prospects, particularly in northern Nigeria. The agency also highlighted the importance of keeping girls in school, noting that completing secondary education could help reduce the prevalence of child marriage.
The figures underscore the importance of awareness campaigns and interventions that protect girls from harmful practices while expanding access to education and opportunities for personal development.
Beyond child marriage, Samuel educated the students on different forms of abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as online exploitation.
She urged them to recognise warning signs, maintain appropriate boundaries and report suspicious or threatening behaviour to trusted adults.
The advocate emphasised that abuse was never the fault of the child, encouraging victims to speak up and continue seeking assistance until someone listened and took appropriate action.
She also advised the students to resist negative peer pressure, choose their friends carefully and remain focused on their education and aspirations.
Samuel urged the girls to identify their interests, nurture their talents and work towards their ambitions in professions such as journalism, medicine, law, engineering and entrepreneurship.
She reminded them that their worth was not determined by their family background or present circumstances, encouraging them to remain confident in their abilities.
“I am valuable, my rights matter, and my future deserves to be protected,” she told the students, urging them to keep the message in mind as they navigate adolescence and prepare for adulthood.
The Director of Enfedam Academy, Mrs Oluwabunmi Sholanke, also addressed the students on puberty and personal hygiene, explaining the physical changes associated with adolescence and the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during the period.
She highlighted the need for girls to understand their changing bodies and adopt healthy personal hygiene practices as they grow.
The distribution of sanitary pads formed a key part of the programme, providing menstrual hygiene support to the students and drawing attention to the importance of access to essential menstrual products.
The event also featured a film show, music and dance, creating an opportunity for the students to learn and participate in the celebration.
The programme formed part of broader efforts to promote the rights and welfare of the girl child, discourage child marriage, improve menstrual health awareness and encourage an environment where girls can learn and pursue their aspirations without fear of abuse or exploitation.