Lagos: Radio One 103.5 FM, one of the stations of Federal Radio Corporation Of Nigeria, FRCN, joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, a United Nations-backed observance held annually on October 11 to highlight the rights, challenges, and potential of girls across the globe.
This year’s celebration is marked under the theme:
“The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.”
Welcoming the participants and guests at the event, which was hosted by Radio One was the Director, Lagos Operation, Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi, as represented by Mr. Shaka Braimah, Deputy director,News and Current affairs, who spoke about the importance of the girl child to humanity and the essence of the day.
Mr. Braimah admonished the school pupils and students that were present to be focused and “always be a blessing to their generation”.
The theme of the celebration underscores the need to recognize girls not as passive victims, but as leaders of transformation — particularly in times of crisis caused by conflict, climate change, pandemics, and displacement.
Global agencies including UNICEF stress that girls are increasingly speaking up, demanding action, and leading solutions in their communities, despite facing significant barriers such as limited access to education, gender-based violence, and child marriage.
“Girls Must Find Courage to Lead”
Speaking at the special commemoration, the convener of the Scripps Spelling Bee in Nigeria and Ghana, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, charged school girls to embrace courage, literacy, and confidence as tools for shaping their future.
Recalling a personal classroom experience in Abuja, she narrated how a shy student once struggled to spell the word courage. After whispering each letter — C-O-U-R-A-G-E — the girl softly admitted, “I didn’t even know I had courage.” Tachie-Menson told her, “The fact that you tried — that is courage.”
She used the story to inspire the students present, urging them to recognize the strength they already carry within.
“Girls today are building apps, designing robots, standing up in classrooms, excelling in mathematics, and leading climate justice movements,” she said, citing examples of young African girls who have gained global recognition.
Tachie-Menson stressed that literacy is central to empowerment.
“Every time you learn a new word, you expand your world. Literacy is not just about reading or spelling – it is about understanding. When a girl can comprehend, she can choose, question, dream, and lead,” she emphasized.
She concluded by reminding the girls never to underestimate the power of their voices:
“Your words are not small. They can heal, build, and inspire.”
On her charge, the General Manager of Metro FM, Ms. Maria Ihuoma, delivered an engaging and practical session where she emphasized the importance of nurturing the girl child with the right values.
“This is a very wonderful day because of the subject matter, because of who we are here for — the girl child. I am so delighted to be here to speak to you,” Ms. Ihuoma said while addressing students, teachers, media professionals, and invited guests.
She noted that peer pressure remains one of the most pressing issues affecting girls today, stressing that it could either build or derail their future. To this end, she urged the girls to stand firm against negative influences while embracing positive role models and values.
“The girl child is a future wife, a future mother, a moulder of society, a game changer, and as such the great development and advancement of life depend on her. If we fail to guide the girl child, the larger society will suffer for it,” she warned.
The segment themed “Peer Pressure on Girls: Dare to Say No,” featured interactive discussions and practical demonstrations where students read out affirmations of positive values, showcasing courage and leadership.
Radio Nigeria says it remains committed to using its platforms to amplify the voices of young girls and to advocate for their education, empowerment, and protection from harmful social pressures.
The host, General Manager, Radio One 103.5 FM, Mr. Abiola Peters, who visibly elated demonstrated the qualities of a great host. Others present at the event are:
Dr. Sam Anyawu, Dir. National Broadcast Academy, NBA, Julie Ekong, DDNM, in company of other heads of departments and Units of FRCN. The schools that were in attendance were twenty eight (28), each parading talents brilliancy and tenacity.
And at the end of the event, five (5), schools came out tops in the medal table. They are:
Best TALENT SHOW category: Double Grace School
Best DRAMA SKIT category
Do-estdot International School
BEST PRESENTER Category
HEPHZIBAH COLLEGE
Best SHORT SPEECH category
Bosol Godswill School
Best and only FASHION SHOW category
Helifest School
OVERALL best winner IDEA PITCH category
Royal Group School.
As Nigeria marks the International Day of the Girl Child 2025, the message is clear: listen to girls, trust their voices, and support their leadership. The girls of today are not waiting for tomorrow’s change — they are already leading it.