FEMALE YOUTH NETWORK LAUNCHES GIRL CHILD CLUB TO EMPOWER 250,000 NIGERIAN GIRLS ANNUALLY

The Female Youth Network (FYN) has unveiled the Girl Child Club (GCC), a groundbreaking initiative aiming to empower, mentor, and inspire Nigerian girls through structured school-based programmes focusing on leadership, digital skills, climate awareness, and entrepreneurship, with Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe appointed Grand Matron.

In a statement at the launch coinciding with the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child Celebration themed “Empowered Girls, Transformed Nation,” FYN President Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer described the Girl Child Club as “more than a programme, it is a movement to raise confident, creative, and courageous girls who will lead change across every sphere of life.” The launch saw Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing Federal Capital Territory, unveiled as Grand Matron/Chairperson of the Council of Matrons – a coalition of distinguished women leaders guiding girl beneficiaries nationwide.

The Girl Child Club operates in 30 FCT public secondary schools approved by FCT Secondary Education Board with plans expand to junior/primary schools and 110 Federal Unity Schools collaborating Federal Ministry of Education. With 25 girls per club unit (Primary 4–6, JSS 1-3, SS 1-3), FYN targets 23,000 girls initial phase rising 250,000 girls nationally full rollout using Geopolitical Zones/Senatorial Districts framework.

“The Council of Matrons will offer mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy connecting today’s accomplished women tomorrow’s emerging leaders,” Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer said. Implementation garners appreciation FCT Secondary Education Board Director/Secretary visionary leadership; Hon. Rachel Ese mentorship; Hon. Tony Nwulu strategic Youth in Parliament Forum partnership; Hon. Amb. Solomon Adodo NYCN President support.

Stakeholders including Fatima Abubakar (Female Youth Climate Action Director), Aishat Adejoh Haruna (Female Youth Outreach Director), Ivie Adidi (Youth in Parliament Forum Technical Services Director) participated physically; international FYN UK/Senegal directors joined virtually pledging support Girl Child Club African female leadership model.

FYN seeks government, corporate, philanthropic partnerships scaling GCC nationwide; sponsorship options include adopting Club Units ($1,000/Unit/academic session), STEM/digital tools, training coordinators/volunteers, Girl Child Congresses/Innovation Challenges. Partners earn Gender Inclusive Operations Certification (GIO-Cert) honouring gender equality advancement Nigeria.

“We are building national legacy empowered girls tomorrow’s lawmakers, innovators, nation builders. Every partner joins transformative vision Nigeria’s future,” Comr. Ebere J. Ebenezer affirmed. The Female Youth Network (RC 8581343) promotes female leadership/inclusion Africa advocacy/education/mentorship.