Abuja – The Female Youth Network (FYN) has marked the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child with the inauguration of the Girl Child Club (GCC), a pioneering programme designed to equip Nigerian girls with critical 21st-century skills in leadership, digital literacy, climate action, and entrepreneurship, targeting 250,000 girls annually upon full implementation.
Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, has been appointed Grand Matron of the Girl Child Club and Chairperson of the Council of Matrons – a prestigious assembly of women leaders from politics, government, civil society, and professional spheres committed to mentoring young girls nationwide. FYN President Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer stated, “The Girl Child Club is more than a programme, it is a movement to raise confident, creative, and courageous girls who will lead change across every sphere of life.”
Initially operational in 30 senior secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory with FCT Secondary Education Board approval, expansion plans охватывает junior/primary schools and Nigeria’s 110 Federal Unity Schools in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education. Structured via Geopolitical Zones and Senatorial Districts for national coverage, the GCC enrols 25 girls per club unit across three educational levels aiming 23,000 girls initial phase escalating 250,000 girls full rollout.
Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer highlighted the Council of Matrons’ role offering “mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy connecting today’s accomplished women tomorrow’s emerging leaders.” Appreciation extended FCT Secondary Education Board Director/Secretary for institutional backing; Hon. Rachel Ese mentorship; Hon. Tony Nwulu Youth in Parliament Forum partnership; NYCN President Hon. Amb. Solomon Adodo support.
Event saw participation Fatima Abubakar (Female Youth Climate Action), Aishat Adejoh Haruna (Female Youth Outreach), Ivie Adidi (Youth in Parliament Forum); FYN international UK/Senegal directors virtually affirmed backing GCC African female leadership exemplar.
FYN invites government/corporate/philanthropic collaboration scaling GCC; sponsorship avenues include Club Unit adoption ($1,000/Unit/session), STEM tools, coordinator training, Girl Child Congresses. Partners recognised Gender Inclusive Operations Certification (GIO-Cert) honouring Nigeria gender equality progress.
“We build national legacy empowered girls become lawmakers, innovators, nation builders. Partners join transformative Nigeria future vision,” Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer declared. Female Youth Network (RC 8581343) advances Africa female leadership/inclusion advocacy/education/mentorship.
