Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, coordinator of the Office of the First Lady in Akwa Ibom State, emphasized that prioritizing education, security, and social empowerment for girls represents a vital investment with significant long-term benefits.
Speaking at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo during the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child event themed “The Girl I am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” she highlighted the critical role these investments play in shaping the state’s future.
She stressed that undermining a girl‘s access to safety, education, and healthcare not only threatens her individual prospects but also endangers the broader development of the community.
Lady Obareki also brought attention to the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), a flagship program inspired by her late mother, designed to convert global objectives for girl-child empowerment into meaningful local achievements.
“Investing strategically in a girl’s dignity, education, and empowerment generates positive outcomes in health, economic advancement, and societal stability,” she explained.
“It is crucial to recognize that when a girl’s rights to safety, education, and health are violated, it imperils not just her future but the collective well-being of our state.”
She further noted that under the visionary ARISE Agenda championed by Governor Pastor Umo Eno, and with the unwavering support of the Office of the First Lady, efforts are underway to break down these obstacles.
“As chairperson of GIFA, I am proud that this initiative is purposefully crafted to ensure that global goals for empowering girls translate into concrete local progress,” she added.
“GIFA focuses on fostering leadership skills, enhancing educational opportunities, and promoting economic empowerment among girls,” she affirmed.
Lady Obareki called upon all stakeholders-including government bodies, community leaders, parents, and educators-to renew their dedication to advancing the welfare and development of the girl child.
She also encouraged girls to harness their inner strength, confidently express their voices, and commit to lifelong learning, describing them as “the driving force of progress and the future leaders the world eagerly awaits.”
Deputy Governor Dr. Akon Eyakenyi echoed these sentiments, urging girls across the state to place education at the forefront of their priorities and highlighting that the domestication of the child rights law in Akwa Ibom will serve as a safeguard against child exploitation.
