Bennett Oghifo
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MedConnect Pharmacy, Pharm. (Mrs) Julianah Michael, has urged stakeholders to make investments intentionally in women’ schooling, healthcare and confidence-building to defend them towards youngster marriage and safe their future.
Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL made the decision as Guest Speaker at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme organised by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Lagos State University (LASU) Branch, held on Wednesday, twenty first October 2026, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE), Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos.
Themed “My Rights, My Voice, My Future: Empowering the Girl Child” in step with the worldwide theme “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” the programme introduced collectively feminine college students of Lagos State University International School (LASUIS), Ojo, and DAMVIC Academy, Badagry.
Delivering her deal with, Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL confused that entry to high quality schooling and healthcare stays vital to empowering the woman youngster to make knowledgeable selections about her life. She famous that sensible help interventions, reminiscent of cost of examination charges, provision of college uniforms, and structured mentorship, can forestall monetary hardship and exploitation from truncating women’ schooling.
She charged the scholars to take duty for their private well being, keep targeted on their research, and perceive that their present circumstances don’t outline their future achievements.
Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL additionally known as on OWSD and different development-focused organisations to deepen collaboration between households, professionals and communities to present sustained help for susceptible women.
The occasion, chaired by OWSD LASU Branch Chairperson, Professor Omolade OKWA, additionally featured goodwill messages reaffirming LASU’s dedication to ending youngster marriage.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi BADEJO, Professor Yomi BELLO of the Department of Music described youngster marriage as a social and developmental problem that undermines women’ schooling, well being, security and financial independence, and known as for stronger enforcement of related legal guidelines.
Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Anthony OJEKALE, represented by Professor Moses AKANBI, recommended OWSD for advancing women’ empowerment, significantly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The programme additionally featured interactive periods together with a chat on “Understanding Child Marriage and Its Impact on Girls” by Dr Bukola OYEDIJI, Deputy Registrar, Counselling Unit; “Avoiding Distraction and Investing in Yourself: Education, Career and Future” by Dr Funmi OMETAN; and a STEM and profession consciousness session by Dr Azeezat ALAFIA, represented by Dr Kafilat AJELARA.
