Bennett Oghifo
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MedConnect Pharmacy, Pharm. (Mrs) Julianah Michael, has urged stakeholders to make investments intentionally in ladies’ training, healthcare and confidence-building to defend them towards baby 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 burdened that entry to high quality training and healthcare stays vital to empowering the lady baby to make knowledgeable selections about her life. She famous that sensible help interventions, resembling cost of examination charges, provision of faculty uniforms, and structured mentorship, can forestall monetary hardship and exploitation from truncating ladies’ training.
She charged the scholars to take duty for their private well being, keep centered on their research, and perceive that their present circumstances don’t outline their future achievements.
Pharm. (Mrs) MICHAEL additionally referred to as on OWSD and different development-focused organisations to deepen collaboration between households, professionals and communities to present sustained help for susceptible ladies.
The occasion, chaired by OWSD LASU Branch Chairperson, Professor Omolade OKWA, additionally featured goodwill messages reaffirming LASU’s dedication to ending baby marriage.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi BADEJO, Professor Yomi BELLO of the Department of Music described baby marriage as a social and developmental problem that undermines ladies’ training, well being, security and financial independence, and referred to 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 ladies’ empowerment, notably in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The programme additionally featured interactive classes 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.
