Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the rights, health, and education of the girl-child, pledging continued support for programmes that equip girls to thrive, dream, and lead.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, stated this at an event commemorating the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child held at Dansol High School, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

In a statement, Ogunyemi represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains dedicated to creating an enabling environment where girls can achieve their full potential.

She described the theme of this year’s celebration, “Empowering the 21st-Century Girl,” as a reflection of the government’s vision to build a generation of confident, healthy, and educated young women capable of driving social and economic transformation.

According to her, good health is the foundation of empowerment, as it enables clear thinking, creativity, and academic excellence.

“A girl who understands her body and practises proper hygiene is better equipped to make informed decisions about her well-being and future,” she said. She added that true wellness goes beyond the absence of disease to include physical, mental, and social well-being, noting that “your health is your power; it gives you energy, confidence, and focus.”

Ogunyemi urged girls to practise self-love and self-worth, resist exploitation, and aspire to leadership roles while promoting fairness and inclusion.

As part of the celebration, Mrs. Adejumoke Ladejobi, convener of the event, emphasised the need to recognise the value and purpose of every girl. She noted that every individual and nation has a role in nurturing potential and creating a world that values equality and empowerment.

“When God created woman, He did not do so as an afterthought but as an integral part of His creation plan,” she said. Ladejobi highlighted that many young girls today struggle with low self-esteem and emotional challenges owing to a lack of love and affirmation.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Risqat Jimoh, said empowering the girl child starts with health, education, and security.

“No girl should have to miss school because of her period. Her education and dreams must not be interrupted by stigma or lack of resources,” she said.