Nigeria: Julianah Michael Calls for Education, Healthcare, Mentorship Investment to Protect Girls' Future At Lasu Owsd International Day of Girl Child Event

3 November 2026
This Day (Lagos)

Bennett Oghifo

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MedConnect Pharmacy, Pharm. (Mrs) Julianah Michael, has urged stakeholders to invest deliberately in girls' education, healthcare and confidence-building to protect them against child marriage and secure their future.

Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL made the call as Guest Speaker at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme organised by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Lagos State University (LASU) Branch, held on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE), Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos.

Themed "My Rights, My Voice, My Future: Empowering the Girl Child" in line with the global theme "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights," the programme brought together female students of Lagos State University International School (LASUIS), Ojo, and DAMVIC Academy, Badagry.

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Delivering her address, Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL stressed that access to quality education and healthcare remains critical to empowering the girl child to make informed decisions about her life. She noted that practical support interventions, such as payment of examination fees, provision of school uniforms, and structured mentorship, can prevent financial hardship and exploitation from truncating girls' education.

She charged the students to take responsibility for their personal health, stay focused on their studies, and understand that their current circumstances do not define their future achievements.

Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL also called on OWSD and other development-focused organisations to deepen collaboration between families, professionals and communities to provide sustained support for vulnerable girls.

The event, chaired by OWSD LASU Branch Chairperson, Professor Omolade OKWA, also featured goodwill messages reaffirming LASU's commitment to ending child marriage.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi BADEJO, Professor Yomi BELLO of the Department of Music described child marriage as a social and developmental challenge that undermines girls' education, health, safety and economic independence, and called for stronger enforcement of relevant laws.

Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Anthony OJEKALE, represented by Professor Moses AKANBI, commended OWSD for advancing girls' empowerment, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The programme also featured interactive sessions including a talk on "Understanding Child Marriage and Its Impact on Girls" by Dr Bukola OYEDIJI, Deputy Registrar, Counselling Unit; "Avoiding Distraction and Investing in Yourself: Education, Career and Future" by Dr Funmi OMETAN; and a STEM and career awareness session by Dr Azeezat ALAFIA, represented by Dr Kafilat AJELARA.

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