Makinde’s wife urges end to girl-child marriage

… calls for protection of rights

The First Lady of Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, has urged parents and guardians to end girl-child marriage and prioritise their daughters’ education, safety and welfare.

She warned that harmful practices could deprive girls of opportunities to realise their potential.

Mrs Makinde made the call during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan. She urged parents, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders to take concrete steps to protect girls’ rights.

The First Lady, who said she had hosted the annual celebration for seven years, explained that the initiative was aimed at promoting girls’ education, health, safety, rights and future prospects in Oyo State.

According to her, this year’s theme, “End Girl-Child Marriage and Engage in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the need to protect girls from harmful practices and give them the freedom and opportunities to determine their futures.

Addressing the girls, Mrs Makinde urged them not to allow their backgrounds or societal expectations to limit their ambitions. She encouraged them to take their education seriously, believe in themselves and seek guidance from mentors.

Drawing from her personal experience, she recalled that she had once been a girl who dreamed of attending university and making the most of available opportunities, without imagining that she would become the First Lady of Oyo State.

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Mrs Makinde said: “I was once a girl with dreams. I wanted to go to university and make the best of the opportunities available to me. At that time, I never imagined that I would become the First Lady of Oyo State.”

She said a girl’s background should not determine how far she could go in life, urging them to remain focused, hardworking and confident as they pursued their aspirations.

“Do not allow where you come from or your present circumstances to determine where you will end up. Believe in yourselves, take your education seriously and remain committed to your dreams,” she told the girls.

She also encouraged them to speak up, ask questions and support one another, noting that leadership was not limited to holding positions of authority but also involved taking responsibility and making positive contributions.

The First Lady urged parents and guardians to provide their daughters with the guidance, education and protection needed to navigate societal challenges and prepare for adulthood.

She called on teachers to continue mentoring and encouraging girls, expressing confidence that participants in the celebration could become future leaders in their communities and beyond.

Mrs Makinde reaffirmed the need to create an environment where every girl could develop her abilities, pursue her dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Joke Sanni, called for sustained efforts to protect girls’ rights and improve their access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She urged parents, schools, guardians and community leaders to work together to provide a safe and supportive environment in which girls could develop their abilities.