Stakeholders at the inaugural African Girls Assembly have called for early investment in girls’ leadership skills to prepare them for future leadership positions and address the low representation of women in leadership.
They made the call in Abuja ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked annually on October 11.
The Convener, Mrs Joy Aderele, who is also Country Director of Self Help Africa, said girls must be prepared for leadership from an early age through training, mentorship and opportunities to develop their abilities.
She said girls needed confidence, skills and supportive networks to compete effectively for leadership positions, adding that they should not wait until adulthood before preparing to lead.
Aderele said the assembly attracted participants from Nigeria, Zambia and The Gambia, expressing hope that more African countries would participate in future editions.
Also speaking, the Founder of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs Love Idoko-Uloko, urged the girls to overcome fear, believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
Idoko-Uloko, who said she wrote her first book at 17 and started a magazine before turning 20, encouraged the girls to remain focused despite criticism and challenges. She said leadership involved identifying problems and finding solutions rather than speaking loudly.
The Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, urged the participants to recognise their leadership potential and begin making positive contributions in their schools and communities.
She said academic excellence should go hand in hand with courage, integrity and commitment to the truth. She also advised the girls to express themselves confidently without feeling pressured to imitate others.
Benjamins-Laniyi added that a girl’s potential should not be limited by her background, religion, tribe, school or financial circumstances. She urged them to believe in their abilities and set high standards for themselves.
The Head of Political and Trade Affairs at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja, Ellen Hahne, said the girls were already demonstrating leadership through their activities in schools and communities.
Hahne encouraged them to continue using their voices to promote positive change and inspire other girls.
She also reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to gender equality and praised the organisers for creating the platform.
One of the participants, Eleora Aderemi, said girls should not allow gender-based expectations to limit their ambitions.
She urged them to speak up, build confidence and develop skills that would help them achieve their goals.
Another participant, Perfecta Silas, called on girls to speak out against issues affecting them and demand their rights, particularly the right to education. She said every girl deserved to be heard, respected and given the opportunity to learn and lead.
The assembly also featured spoken-word performances and contributions from students, including Iman Salihu, to encourage self-expression and active participation among girls.
The assembly, organised by the Educate a Woman Initiative, brought together girls and stakeholders to build confidence, develop leadership skills and encourage girls to use their voices.
