The First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, on Monday reaffirmed her commitment to the holistic development of girls, describing adolescent health and mentorship as both a social obligation and a strategic necessity for sustainable development.
She disclosed this while speaking at the Adolescent Health and Mentorship Programme organised by the Chosen Vessels Empowerment Foundation held at Abeokuta Club on Monday.
Addressing educators and over 500 secondary school girls drawn from public schools across the state, the First Lady said the transition from childhood to womanhood requires deliberate guidance and structured support.
“In an increasingly complex and highly exposed world, our girls need more than just academic instruction; they need a compass of self-worth, inner strength, and purpose,” she said.
Mrs. Abiodun noted that the initiative aligns with the broader vision of the Ogun State Government to nurture physically and emotionally resilient citizens, stressing that education must be complemented with practical life skills and moral grounding.
She recalled that under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the flagship programme of the First Lady of the Federation, Oluremi Tinubu, sanitary pads were recently distributed to girls across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State.
“That exercise was about more than hygiene. It was about ensuring that no girl-child is forced to stay away from school or lose her dignity due to a natural biological process. By focusing on personal hygiene and adolescent health today, this programme reinforces those efforts”.
Speaking on her role as a United Nations-designated Champion for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the First Lady explained that the programme directly supports United Nations global targets, particularly Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 on Good Health and Wellbeing, and Gender Equality.
“The adolescent health component of this initiative aligns seamlessly with SDG 3, which is promoting Good Health and Wellbeing. Also, the SDG 5, which is Gender Equality, is deeply embedded in this initiative as our girls will be empowered to make positive life choices and set healthy boundaries through the mentorship component”.
Mrs. Abiodun emphasised that the socio-economic advancement of Ogun State and Nigeria is closely tied to the status of women, describing investment in the girl-child as the most rewarding long-term strategy for national prosperity.
“When we give girls the tools for an improved quality of life, we are investing in the future of our nation. Empowered girls grow into women who lead businesses, transform healthcare, and build stable families. An investment in the girl-child is the highest-yielding investment any society can make for its long-term prosperity”.
The First Lady also commended Mrs. Debola Atoyebi for marking her 60th birthday with a philanthropic gesture rather than personal celebration.
“I want to sincerely commend Mrs. Debola Atoyebi for choosing to mark her 60th birthday not with personal fanfare, but with a deliberate act of service and legacy. Reaching out to 500 girls from our public schools sets a powerful example,” she said.
She called on well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to complement government efforts by supporting initiatives that uplift the next generation.
“While government is doing its part, we need more citizens to step forward and give back to society and the next generation, so please, be the change you desire”.
Mrs. Abiodun encouraged the girls to embrace the lessons shared at the programme.
“You are the future of Ogun State, Nigeria and Africa. Take the lessons on hygiene, on strength, and on purpose which you have learnt today, and use them to build the lives you deserve,” she said.
In her remarks, the Convener of the foundation, Mrs. Debola Atoyebi, advised the students to make good use of the knowledge shared during the programme, especially in an era of increasing social media exposure.
“My advice to them is that all the tips they have been given, they should adhere to them. There are so many things out there that young girls want to experiment with today, particularly because of exposure to social media,” she said.
She added that medical professionals at the event had counselled the girls to keep their lifestyle simple and avoid harmful substances.
“The doctors have advised them to keep it simple, keep it basic. Don’t do things that would harm your body. Don’t ingest drugs. Don’t put harsh things into your body. You are a woman; don’t let people deceive you into doing things that you should not do,” Atoyebi cautioned.
On hygiene, she stressed that maintaining cleanliness does not require expensive products.
“Hygiene does not have to be expensive for you to be hygienic. Basic cleanliness — water and soap — wash your clothes on time, wear clean clothes, eat well. Junk food is even more expensive than proper food,” she noted.
She further encouraged the girls to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing.
“Keep your mind, your body and your spirit healthy. Don’t listen to negativity. Always affirm yourself. Speak positivity to yourself. When people speak negatively, speak positivity over yourself,” she advised.
