Abuja: The Alice Wanny Development Foundation (AWDF) has successfully trained over 500 girls in vocational and entrepreneurial skills as part of the celebrations for the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child. The initiative focused on essential skills such as tiling, flooring, construction safety, and entrepreneurship, marking the second phase of the foundation’s empowerment program for girls and youths nationwide.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, held in Abuja, was also the platform for the launch of a scholarship scheme and a book titled *From Gloominess to Strength* by the foundation’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Owan Alice Ada. The book draws inspiration from Owan’s mother’s experience, who was denied education solely because she was a girl, which thwarted her aspiration of becoming a nurse. Owan highlighted the broader social consequences of such educational denial, including gender-based violence, child exploitation, drug abuse, and kidnapping.
UNESCO reports that over 7.6 million girls are currently out of school in Nigeria, with more than 34 million girls out of school across sub-Saharan Africa. These alarming statistics have motivated the creation of the Pan-African Women Leadership Academy (PAWLA), an initiative aimed at offering scholarships to children from underserved and vulnerable communities, including orphans. Owan disclosed that scholarships have already been awarded to at least 20 children, starting from her mother’s hometown in Cross River and expanding to other regions of the country.
Emphasizing the importance of this year’s theme, Owan stated, “The message of this year’s theme is clear, even in crisis, the light of the girl-child must never be dimmed.” She called for stronger partnerships with government bodies, international organizations, and other stakeholders to further this cause. “We can’t do this alone. We need more partners to join us in reaching more children,” she added.
Prof. Samson Duna, Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), praised AWDF for its innovative approach in training girls in construction skills. He noted that the foundation’s introduction of this initiative to NBRRI in 2023 led to a collaborative effort on hands-on training in painting, POP, tiling, and flooring. “It’s uncommon to see girls trained in these areas. This year, we challenged them to construct an entire building, from foundation to roofing,” Duna remarked, describing it as a bold step towards gender inclusion in a male-dominated field.
Mrs. Inna Binta Audu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, stressed the need for inclusive education and improved school infrastructure. She pointed out that “Many girls stay home during their menstrual cycles because schools lack clean toilets. These silent crises must be addressed if we want girls to thrive.” Audu emphasized that advocacy should extend beyond policy discussions to practical community and school interventions, asserting that “Girls must be raised not just to receive change, but to lead it.”
Trainees like Miracle Ochonu and Covenant Chukwu shared their transformative experiences. Ochonu noted the essential role of education in national development, stating, “Educating a girl is like educating a nation.” Meanwhile, Chukwu described the training as an eye-opener, saying, “I learnt a lot during the two-day training. It helped me discover new career paths.”
The event featured a dance competition and poetry recitations centered on the theme ‘From Crisis to the Classroom’, which received standing ovations from attendees. Awards were also presented to individuals and organizations for their contributions to girls’ empowerment and inclusion. The 2025 International Day of the Girl Child was commemorated globally under the theme ‘The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead – Girls on the Frontline of Crisis’.