Girl-Child Day: VIGC Leads Stakeholders to Advocate Gender Education, Empowerment as Panacea for Teenage Pregnancy in Bayelsa
BY VIGC MEDIA
Dr. Gloria Diri, the First Lady of Bayelsa State, has appealed to mothers and guardians of teenage girls to take an active interest in their children’s growth, education, and moral upbringing as critical steps towards ending child marriage and securing the future of the girl child.
Dr. Diri made the appeal as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration organised by the Voice of the Ijaw Girl Child (VIGC), in partnership with the Stemick Skars Foundation, formerly known as the Gloria Diri Foundation, which served as the lead partner.
The event, themed “Empowering Her Future: End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights,” was held over the weekend at the Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Dr. Diri emphasised that mothers are the first line of defence in protecting girls against early marriage, peer pressure, drug abuse, and other social vices. She also encouraged girls to be bold and speak up whenever their rights are threatened.
“We are very grateful to God for this wonderful celebration of the girl child, 2026. Every girl child has spoken. Their voices are very loud and clear. They are saying that there should no longer be early marriage. Your daughter is your walking stick at old age, and so support her, educate her, empower her.
“That is the cry of the girl child, and that is what I stand for. And so, to every girl child, I want you to know that your succeeding is you, and so take your life into your hands,” she said.
In their separate remarks, Dr. Antonia Ganah, Grand Patron and keynote speaker, and Dr. Bumak Tonye Mieyabei, chairperson of the Bayelsa State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), stressed the need for parents and other stakeholders to create safe spaces where girls can speak up and report abuse.
They also emphasised that girls have equal rights within the family and society, urging them to remain focused on their aspirations and shun drug abuse, premarital sex, and bad company that could derail their dreams.
One of the speakers noted that self-confidence was essential for girls to challenge societal barriers, adding that parents and their social networks play a significant role in building that confidence.
The speakers further stressed that every girl has a right to education and deserves protection from all forms of violence, including sexual, verbal, physical, and emotional abuse. They called for homes and other environments where girls can feel safe and thrive.
Earlier, in her address, Mrs. Timipre Tobi Ebiringa, convener and Executive Director of VIGC, said every girl, regardless of her background or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, discover her potential, and become whatever she aspires to be.
Emphasising the theme of the celebration, Mrs. Ebiringa said the future of the girl child must be deliberately protected, nurtured, and invested in, noting that every girl has dreams despite the challenges she may face.
She also expressed appreciation to the event’s partners and all the guests who attended the celebration.
Speaking on the need to address challenges peculiar to the Niger Delta, she said:
“For me, I’m bringing the theme back home. The world is celebrating the girl child. That is the general theme, investing in the girl’s tribe. But that is not what is affecting us in the Niger Delta. It’s more of teenage pregnancy leading to early child marriage.
“Poverty is the root cause of teenage pregnancy, and that is what affects us. So we have to bring the message home. See a young girl, 13 years or 14, maybe a first daughter, and her mom is already giving the burden or responsibilities to their teenage girls to carry.
“So, our parents should be able to be responsible for our children. I’m encouraging every young girl child to go to school. If you can’t get to school, get a skill.”
The event featured goodwill messages and inspirational talks by prominent speakers and distinguished guests, including Professor Bodisere Teibowei, a lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Dr. Pelesai Fostina, a lecturer, public health nurse, and professional epidemiologist; and Mrs. Kemilayefa Okigigi, a former Bayelsa State governorship candidate.
Other dignitaries present included Hon. Nengi Rufus Spiff, immediate past Managing Director of Isoko Microfinance Bank; Hon. Jonah Gigi, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development in Bayelsa State; Comrade Adaku Ayibakuro, National Women Leader of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide; and Mrs. Grace Oruameyeofa, chairperson of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.
Highlights of the event included cultural performances by pupils from various schools across Bayelsa State, the official unveiling and distribution of a book titled A Loud Cry, authored by Dr. Gloria Diri, and the distribution of sanitary pads to pupils.
