Ambassador Christy Opara MON, a renowned Olympian and performance coach, has launched a passionate appeal for concerted efforts to eradicate child marriage and create more opportunities for girls in Nigeria. As the founder of the Soho24 Foundation, Opara made this call during the unveiling of plans for the foundation's 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme in Abuja. The programme aims to empower girls through sports development, education, and performances.
The Soho24 Foundation's 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme, themed "Empowerment of the Girl-Child Through Sports Development, Education and Performances," is scheduled to take place on October 8 at the Soho24 Foundation Sports Park in Kado, Abuja. This event precedes the global observance on October 11. According to Opara, the programme is designed to provide girls with a platform to learn, participate, compete, and discover their talents, thereby building their confidence and skills.
Opara emphasized that protecting the rights, dignity, education, safety, and future of girls must become a collective responsibility. She highlighted that every girl deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and be protected, as well as discover her talents and determine her future. The Olympian also underscored the significance of sports in developing essential life skills, such as discipline, confidence, leadership, teamwork, and resilience, among young girls.
The Soho24 Foundation's initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 5 on gender equality, and SDG 10 on reduced inequalities. Opara urged various stakeholders, including government institutions, parents, schools, traditional and religious leaders, corporate organizations, development partners, civil society groups, and the media, to play their part in creating an environment that supports the protection, education, and empowerment of girls.
Opara stressed that investing in the girl-child is not merely an investment in the present but also in the future. She announced that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) have partnered with the foundation to support the initiative. Opara expressed gratitude to the Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other stakeholders who contributed to the foundation's maiden programme in 2025.
The founder of the Soho24 Foundation appealed to the media to utilize their platforms to amplify the voices, achievements, and aspirations of girls. Opara shared her personal experience as an Olympian and performance coach, which has reinforced her belief in the transformative power of opportunity. She emphasized that the programme's objective is for every participating girl to leave with greater confidence, stronger skills, and a renewed belief in her potential.
Opara concluded by reiterating that every girl deserves a future, an opportunity, protection, education, and a voice. She called for a shift from awareness to action, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in protecting and empowering girls. The Soho24 Foundation's programme aims to provide a platform for girls to realize their potential and create a brighter future for themselves.
Key points
- Olympian Christy Opara calls for collective action to end child marriage and empower girls through sports, education, and mentorship.
- The Soho24 Foundation's 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme aims to provide girls with opportunities to learn, participate, compete, and discover their talents.
- The initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
