By: Promise Odejide
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its position as one of Nigeria’s most gender-friendly states by empowering more than 1,000 adolescent school girls with sanitary pads and delivering vital education on menstrual hygiene, mental health, and overall well-being.
The landmark program, themed “The Physical, Mental & Emotional Well-being of Young Girls in Kwara State,” was convened through the Office of the Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Empowerment, in collaboration with the Healthy Girl Child Initiative (HGC), held at the Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, Ajase Ipo Road, Ilorin.
In his address, The Commissioner For Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, praised Hon. Joanna Kolo and HGC for initiating such a timely and impactful program, noting that it reflects Kwara’s long-standing record as a gender-friendly government.
In the same vein, The Hon. Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Maryam Nnafatima Imam, highlighted the state government’s efforts on gender inclusiveness and advised the students to seek medical care whenever they experience menstrual cramps, reinforcing the message of prioritizing their health.
Hon. Joanna Nnazua Kolo, Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Empowerment, described the initiative as a reflection of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s unwavering commitment to the holistic development of the girl child.
“As the Adviser on Girl Child Empowerment to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, I am proud to say that this administration continues to prioritize the holistic development of the girl child. We understand that when a girl is healthy — physically, mentally, and emotionally — she becomes unstoppable. She becomes a leader, a change-maker, and a beacon of hope for her community. This program addresses challenges such as access to healthcare, menstrual hygiene, nutrition, and mental health support. But beyond the challenges, we are here to celebrate their strength, amplify their voices, and equip them with tools to thrive. Today, we are empowering over 1,000 adolescent girls with sanitary pads.”
She further expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent gender-sensitive policies, as well as the First Lady, Prof. Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, for her dedication to women and girl-child,
Kolo extended her appreciation to Azha Praise, founder of the Healthy Girl Child Initiative, for her selfless contributions.
During the first lecture, delivered by Dr. Hidaayah Jimoh-Abdulghaffaar, a lecturer in the Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, the students were exposed to “Personal and Menstrual Hygiene,” with much emphasis on the importance of cleanliness during menstruation,
Dr. Jimoh-Abdulghaffaar explained that caring for one’s body is essential for healthy living, discouraging the students on the act of flushing pads in toilets, while she educated them on proper disposal methods, and how to track their menstrual cycles effectively.
The second session which featured Dr. Adelabu Abibat A., a medical doctor and advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), focuses on common myths about menstruation, as she clarifies that periods do not cause cramps, urging the girls to seek medical attention if they experience pain during these periods.
Dr. Abibat laid emphasis on the importance of prioritizing their health, particularly during their menstrual cycles. She also demonstrated how to use a menstrual tracker calendar to better manage their cycles and overall well-being.
The empowerment also featured an inter-school debate competition where Government Day Secondary School, Tanke Ilorin, emerged first place, Bishop Smith Memorial College took second, and St. Anthony Secondary School secured third position. Representatives of each winning school were presented with awards of excellence and gifts in recognition of their outstanding performance.
Through this initiative, the Kwara State Government has once again demonstrated that empowering girls with knowledge and resources is not just about breaking barriers, but about building a brighter, more inclusive future where every girl child can thrive.
