The Head of Human Capital Development, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Emem Essien, has encouraged young girls to believe in their dreams and take their education seriously as a foundation for a brighter future.
Essien gave the advice while addressing students of Murtala Mohammed Secondary School during an International Women’s Day outreach programme organised by May & Baker.
She described the celebration as a global occasion dedicated to recognising the achievements of women and inspiring young girls to pursue their ambitions.
According to her, the theme of the engagement centred on fostering collective progress through generosity, collaboration and mentorship, explaining that when people give their best to others they also gain something greater in return. She told the students that the guidance they receive from parents and teachers provides wisdom that can help shape their future.
Essien emphasised that the decisions students make today will determine the opportunities they enjoy tomorrow, noting that education remains one of the greatest gifts young people can give themselves. She added that many of the professionals working in healthcare today once sat in classrooms just like the students she was addressing.
She urged the girls to remain focused on their studies, stressing that among them were future doctors, engineers, lawyers, educators and business leaders who could transform society.
She encouraged the students not to allow gender stereotypes to limit their ambitions. According to her, successful women across different fields are disciplined, hardworking, confident and determined, using challenges as motivation rather than obstacles.
Essien further urged the girls to contribute positively to society through simple actions such as respecting parents and teachers, showing kindness to friends and maintaining a clean environment. She said such values reflect the spirit of “give to gain,” which the company promotes through its community initiatives.
Pharmacist Mrs. Uche Olekanma emphasised the importance of health awareness and personal hygiene among adolescent girls. She explained that adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood and is often accompanied by physical and emotional changes.
Olekanma encouraged the students to take care of their bodies by eating nutritious meals, drinking adequate water and maintaining proper hygiene. She stressed the importance of brushing teeth regularly, keeping hair and clothing clean and using deodorants where necessary.
She also spoke extensively on menstrual health, describing menstruation as a normal part of growing up and encouraging students to understand their bodies and maintain good menstrual hygiene. Olekanma advised them to keep track of their menstrual cycles, change sanitary pads regularly and seek medical advice if they notice unusual patterns.
She noted that open conversations about menstruation and body changes are important so that young girls can feel confident and informed during adolescence.
The Managing Partner of Georgetown Solicitors, Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin, later led the students in an affirmation session designed to boost their confidence and self-belief.
During the session, the students repeated positive affirmations declaring that they were confident, strong and capable of achieving their dreams. Abiri-Franklin explained that supporting one another and striving for excellence would help them grow into leaders who can make meaningful contributions to society.
The programme concluded with the girls receiving health care packages.
