***LP Reps Candidate says Empowering Girls Today is Key to Raising Future Leaders, Innovators and Change-makers
The Labour Party candidate for the House of Representatives, Owerri Federal Constituency, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Ada Owere I), has called for a comprehensive approach to girl-child development, emphasizing sportsmanship, mentorship, leadership training, menstrual health education, and improved sanitation facilities as critical pillars for empowering young girls.
Speaking at the launch of the GEMS Cluster Mentorship and Menstrual Hygiene Outreach Programme held at Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the development of the girl-child must extend beyond classroom learning to include physical well-being, self-confidence, leadership skills, personal dignity, and access to opportunities.
The programme was organized by NAFA, Gridiron GEMS, and Pads for Her Initiative in collaboration with the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation and was themed, “Sportsmanship, Mentorship, Leadership and Menstrual Health: A Holistic Approach to Developing the Girl-Child.”
Drawing from her experience as founder of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, Anyanwu-Akeredolu noted that empowering girls with knowledge, skills, mentorship, and opportunities enables them to become catalysts for positive change in their families, communities, and society.
“The girl-child is not a liability to be managed; she is an asset to be developed,” she said, stressing the need for stakeholders to create environments that allow girls to reach their full potential.
Speaking on sportsmanship, she described sports as a powerful tool for personal development, noting that participation helps girls build discipline, resilience, teamwork, perseverance, self-esteem, and confidence.
She urged parents and community leaders to challenge societal stereotypes that discourage girls from participating in sporting activities, adding that sports can help prepare them to face life’s challenges with courage and determination.
On mentorship, the Labour Party candidate emphasized the importance of exposing girls to positive role models who can guide them in making informed decisions and pursuing their aspirations.
According to her, mentorship helps transform uncertainty into confidence and aspirations into achievement by broadening the horizons of young girls beyond their immediate environment.
Addressing leadership development, Anyanwu-Akeredolu said Nigeria’s future depends on raising girls who are prepared to lead in sectors such as education, healthcare, science, technology, business, governance, and community development.
She urged stakeholders to encourage girls to think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems, and take initiative from an early age.
The former First Lady of Ondo State also highlighted menstrual health as a key but often neglected aspect of girl-child development, noting that many girls still face stigma, misinformation, and inadequate support during menstruation.
She said lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and proper facilities contributes to absenteeism among schoolgirls and affects their confidence and academic performance.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu further stressed the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, describing access to clean water, functional toilets, handwashing stations, and proper waste disposal systems as essential for effective menstrual hygiene management.
She expressed concern that many schools across Imo State still lack basic water and sanitation infrastructure, a situation she described as unacceptable in 2026.
According to her, girls bear the greatest burden of inadequate WASH facilities, as many are forced to stay away from school during their menstrual periods due to the absence of private and hygienic facilities.
She therefore called on the Imo State Government, particularly the Ministries of Education and Health, local government authorities, development partners, school administrators, and community leaders to prioritize the provision of WASH facilities in schools.
She recommended that every school should have access to clean water, safe and private toilets for girls, handwashing stations with soap and water, menstrual waste disposal systems, and comprehensive menstrual health education programmes.
Describing such facilities as necessities rather than luxuries, Anyanwu-Akeredolu argued that improving school infrastructure would reduce absenteeism, promote gender equity, and enhance educational outcomes.
She concluded by urging stakeholders to invest intentionally in girls, noting that empowered girls grow into leaders, innovators, professionals, and agents of positive change.
According to her, investing in girls ultimately translates into stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger nation.
