A Non-governmental organisation, the Foundation for Excellent Living and Development for Youths and Women (FELAD) Nigeria, has empowered over 400 adolescent girls through a special sensitization program held at Deji Fasuan Model College, Okeisha, Ado-Ekiti, in commemoration of the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Day and the International Day of the Girl Child.
The event, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead” focused on promoting girls’ leadership, education and mental health awareness.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the executive Director of FELAD, Olajumoke Omisore said the initiative was designed to build the confidence and leadership capacity of young girls while also addressing issues surrounding menstrual hygiene and mental well-being.
She added that the foundation also distributed sanitary pads to participants to promote menstrual health and hygiene management, while also urging parents, teachers and community leaders to sustain the advocacy beyond the commemorative day.
Her words, “We engaged more than 400 adolescent girls in sessions on mental health, leadership, and the importance of education.
“We also had a young girl among them speak on leadership to inspire her peers and boost their self-esteem.
“This initiative should not end today. I implore parents and teachers to integrate the lessons into daily activities to strengthen the capacity of our girls so they can truly lead.
“I also want to implore the children, the girls and our parents especially and our teachers to ensure that they take ownership of this initiative.
“It’s not only for days that we are commemorating. They should integrate this into their day-to-day activity to boost education and strengthen the capacity of these girls that they also can lead”.
