Nigerian Olympic Medallist, Amb. Christy Opara, has called for increased investment in girls education, sports and skills acquisition to protect the girl-child from early marriage and empower her to achieve her full potential.
Opara, in her welcome address at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on Thursday in Abuja, urged parents, teachers and community leaders to prioritise the safety, education and well-being of girls rather than subjecting them to premature adult responsibilities.
“As an Olympian and exercise physiologist, I have spent my entire life studying what makes a true champion, and every champion’s journey begins with a strong foundation.
“Life for a young girl works the same way. Her childhood is precious, and her future is wide open. A girl is not meant to be rushed; she is meant to be nurtured, educated and given the opportunity to shine,” she said.
She warned that early marriage could deprive girls of education and truncate their dreams, urging the parents and the government to protect girls by providing them with the necessary support to remain in school.
She also encouraged the girls to recognise their worth, develop useful skills and grow at their own pace, urging them not to allow societal expectations to limit their ambitions.
“This is our second edition, and we have been doing this since 2014. Rome was not built in a day, we will continue to make progress.
“The girls who attended today’s event are going home with remarkable words of encouragement, and we believe next year’s edition will be better, with more innovations and wider participation,” she added .
Earlier, the National President of National Council Of women Society ( NCWS), Edna Azura, commended Soho24 Sports Foundation and its partners for organising what she described as a timely initiative .
Azura commended the Federal Government and the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for their support for women and girls, adding that investing in girls was essential to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
She also announced that National Council Of women Society ( NCWS) supported the programme with the provision of exercise books to participating schoolgirls, aimed at promoting academic excellence.
Effiong urged parents, schools, community leaders and government institutions to ensure that girls were protected from harmful practices and given opportunities to develop their abilities.
Dr Hegan Ihuaku, founder of Emerald Kwesi Kofi Academy, also encouraged girls to speak out against molestation, bullying and other forms of abuse, urging them to seek help through appropriate child-protection channels.
The 2026 International Day of the Girl Child focuses on ending child marriage and investing in girls. On the occasion, other speakers called for sustained collaboration among relevant stakeholders to protect girls rights and expand opportunities for their development.
