Tamunominini Makinde urges families, teachers and community leaders to prioritise girls’ education, safety, health and rights.
The First Lady of Oyo State, Tamunominini Makinde, has called for an end to girl-child marriage, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to protect girls’ rights and ensure they have opportunities to pursue their ambitions.
She made the appeal during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child at the Civic Centre in Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde said the annual event, which she had hosted for seven years, was intended to promote girls’ education, health, safety, rights and future prospects across the state.
This year’s theme, “End Girl-Child Marriage and Engage in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the importance of protecting girls from harmful practices and enabling them to make informed decisions about their futures.
Addressing the girls at the event, the First Lady encouraged them not to allow their backgrounds or societal expectations to limit their aspirations.
She urged them to take their education seriously, believe in their abilities, seek guidance from mentors and remain focused on their goals.
Makinde also called on parents, teachers and community leaders to move beyond public statements and take practical steps to protect girls from harmful practices and ensure they have access to education and supportive environments.
Education and protection as priorities
Early marriage can interrupt a girl’s education and limit her future opportunities. It can also expose girls to health, social and economic risks, particularly when marriage occurs before they are physically or emotionally prepared for adult responsibilities.
Efforts to address the practice therefore require cooperation among families, schools, community leaders and public institutions.
Makinde’s appeal places responsibility not only on girls to pursue their ambitions but also on adults and institutions to remove barriers that prevent them from doing so.
The wider challenge is to ensure that advocacy translates into sustained protection, access to education and practical support for girls across communities.
The event also reinforces the importance of giving girls the confidence and resources to participate in decisions affecting their lives.