Kogi First Lady’s Aide Charges Girls to Know Their Rights, Reject Abuse

The Senior Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the Kogi State Governor’s Office of the First Lady, Janet Ovayoza Samuel, has urged girls to know their rights, speak out against abuse and protect their future through education.

Samuel gave the advice while addressing students of Enfedam Academy in Karu, Abuja, during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration.

The event, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” focused on protecting girls from abuse and exploitation while promoting their access to education and opportunities.

Speaking on “Know Your Rights: Protecting the Girl Child from Abuse and Exploitation,” Samuel said every girl deserved dignity, safety, education and the opportunity to fulfil her potential, regardless of her family background.

She warned that child marriage could interrupt girls’ education, expose them to health risks and deny them opportunities to develop their abilities.

According to her, girls should have the freedom to learn, discover their talents and prepare for adulthood rather than face pressure to marry before they are ready.

The journalist and girl-child advocate also 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 and seek help from trusted adults whenever they felt unsafe.

“Abuse is never the fault of the child,” Samuel told the students, encouraging victims to speak up and continue seeking assistance until someone listened.

She also advised the girls to take their education seriously, resist negative peer pressure and choose their friends carefully.

Samuel reminded them that their circumstances did not determine their worth or dictate what they could achieve in life.

She encouraged the students to identify their interests, develop their talents and work towards their ambitions in fields such as journalism, medicine, law, engineering and entrepreneurship.

The media aide urged the girls to hold on to three key messages from her presentation.

“I am valuable, my rights matter, and my future deserves to be protected,” she said.

The Director of Enfedam Academy, Mrs Oluwabunmi Sholanke, also addressed the students on puberty and personal hygiene.

Sholanke explained the physical changes associated with adolescence and stressed the importance of proper personal hygiene during this stage of development.

Other speakers discussed issues affecting the girls’ growth, health and general well-being.

The celebration also featured the distribution of sanitary pads to more than 100 students to support menstrual hygiene and promote the health and dignity of the girl child.

A film show, music and dance added to the activities marking the occasion.

The programme sought to raise awareness of girls’ rights, discourage child marriage and promote menstrual health and hygiene. It also encouraged a safe environment where girls can learn, grow and pursue their aspirations without fear of abuse or exploitation.