REPORT OF THE E2E INITIATIVE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD COMMEMORATION AT LEA PRIMARY SCHOOL, APO DUTSEN, ABUJA.
Theme: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Her”
1. Background
E2E Initiative, in collaboration with LEA Primary School, Apo Dutsen, Abuja, commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child with the theme “End Child Marriage and Invest in Her.” The celebration was organised in furtherance of E2E Initiative’s Invest in Her programme, which promotes girls’ education, confidence, empowerment, skills development and access to opportunities that enable them to realise their full potentials.
The programme brought together 54 girls, who participated actively in interactive learning sessions and creative activities. From helping to decorate their classroom to expressing their aspirations through role-play, group presentations and drawings, the pupils explored their rights, identified their dreams and envisioned the future they wished to build.
The celebration provided an opportunity to reinforce the importance of protecting girls from child marriage, supporting their education and creating an environment in which every girl can learn, grow and aspire to leadership.
2. Welcome Remarks
Speaking on behalf of the Head Teacher, the Assistant Head Teacher I, Mrs Appolos Tangten, warmly welcomed E2E Initiative and other participants to the school. She expressed appreciation to E2E Initiative for bringing the opportunity to the pupils and described the celebration as timely and valuable.
She emphasised that investing in the girl child is an investment in the future, underscoring that no investment in a girl is a waste. Her remarks set a positive tone for the programme and encouraged the pupils to appreciate the opportunities available to them.
3. Opening Remarks by the CEO, E2E Initiative
In her opening remarks, Madam Joy Anih, Chief Executive Officer of E2E Initiative, delivered an empowering message to the girls, reminding them of their worth, abilities and potential to become whatever they aspire to be.
Speaking on the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Her,” she encouraged the pupils to prioritise their education, develop their abilities and make the most of their formative years. She emphasised that girls should be encouraged to prepare for leadership in their own right, rather than being limited to traditional expectations about the roles they may occupy in adulthood.
She challenged the pupils to see themselves as future presidents, vice presidents, scientists, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs and other professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the society. She reminded them that many influential women began their journeys as young girls who attended school, learned new things and nurtured their ambitions.
To reinforce this message, the girls were encouraged to look at women whose lives demonstrate the importance of education, determination and service.
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girls’ education advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is an example of a young woman who stood up for girls’ right to education despite facing serious threats. Her story reminds girls that their voices matter and that they can speak up for their rights and the rights of others.
Aisha Buhari, former First Lady of Nigeria, is also associated with advocacy and initiatives focused on women, children and vulnerable people. Her public role offers an example of how women can use their platforms to draw attention to issues affecting families and communities.
Other inspiring examples include Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Nigerian economist and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and the first woman in Africa to be democratically elected head of state.
These women represent different paths to influence and service. Their experiences remind girls that leadership can take many forms and that education, courage, commitment and opportunity can help them make a difference.
The message to the pupils was clear: they should not allow gender stereotypes, child marriage or limited expectations to define their future. Every girl deserves the chance to learn, discover her strengths and pursue her dreams.
Madam Anih encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously, believe in themselves and strive to become the best versions of themselves. She reiterated that investing in girls today creates opportunities for stronger families, communities and societies tomorrow.
4. Interactive Learning and Creative Activities
The Programme Advisor, Regina Chinelo Ochu, facilitated interactive and hands-on activities designed to strengthen the pupils’ understanding of their rights, self-worth and future possibilities.
Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, she reinforced the message that the girls’ voices count, their opinions matter, and their futures are full of possibilities. She outlined key rights of the girl child. She encouraged the pupils to speak up, seek help from trusted adults when necessary, and reject child marriage and other harmful practices that may prevent them from completing their education and pursuing their aspirations.
4.1 Role-Play: Imagining Our Future
The pupils participated in role-play activities in which they acted out the professions and roles they hoped to occupy in the future. This activity encouraged them to express their ambitions, build confidence and recognise that their dreams deserve to be taken seriously.
The exercise also reinforced the importance of education, preparation and determination in achieving personal goals.
4.2 Drawing the Future We Want
The pupils were subsequently given a creative task to draw the future they envisioned for themselves and illustrate what they wanted to become. Through their drawings, they expressed their ambitions and explored different possibilities for their lives.
The activity provided an opportunity for the girls to reflect on their dreams and communicate their aspirations in a practical and engaging way.
4.3 Group Work and Presentations
The pupils worked in four groups and presented the outcomes of their activities. The groups were identified as the Stars, the Delights, the Formators and the
The group presentations encouraged teamwork, creativity, communication and peer learning. They also gave the pupils an opportunity to share their ideas, learn from one another and appreciate the different aspirations represented among their peers.
5. Key Messages and Outcomes
The celebration reinforced several important messages:
- Every girl has value. Girls deserve respect, protection, encouragement and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
- Education opens doors. Girls should be supported to remain in school, develop their abilities and prepare for their chosen futures.
- Child marriage should be prevented. Girls need protection from practices that can interrupt their education, undermine their rights and limit their opportunities.
- Girls can become leaders. Examples of women leaders in politics, science, economics and international development demonstrate that girls can aspire to a wide range of careers and leadership positions.
- Girls’ voices matter. Providing opportunities for girls to speak, create, participate and make choices helps strengthen their confidence and sense of agency.
- Investment must translate into opportunities. Families, schools, communities, organisations and development partners all have a role to play in supporting girls’ education, well-being, skills and leadership.
The participation of the 54 girls in the role-play, drawing exercises and group presentations provided a practical platform for them to express their aspirations and engage with the message of the International Day of the Girl Child.
6. Closing Session
The programme concluded with expressions of appreciation from the pupils. The closing session provided an opportunity to reflect on the day’s activities and reaffirm the importance of believing in oneself, pursuing education and protecting the rights of every girl.
A group photograph was taken to document the commemoration and preserve a record of the engagement between E2E Initiative and LEA Primary School, Apo Dutsen, Abuja.
E2E Initiative appreciates the school management, facilitators and pupils for their participation and support in making the celebration possible.
7. Conclusion
The International Day of the Girl Child commemoration at LEA Primary School, Apo Dutsen, Abuja, provided an opportunity to translate the message of “End Child Marriage and Invest in Her” into practical engagement with 54 girls. Through interactive learning, role-play, drawing and group presentations, the pupils were encouraged to recognise their rights, value their voices and imagine futures beyond limiting stereotypes.
The event reaffirmed E2E Initiative’s commitment, through its Invest in Her programme, to promoting girls’ empowerment by supporting education, confidence, participation and access to opportunities.
As the examples of women leaders demonstrate, a girl’s present circumstances need not determine her future. With education, protection, encouragement and sustained investment, girls can grow into leaders, innovators, professionals and changemakers in their communities and beyond.
Let us end child marriage. Let us protect girls’ rights. Let us invest in her education, confidence, skills and future.
E2E Initiative — Empowering women and girls. Advancing opportunities. Transforming communities.
