The Emmanuel Osemota Foundation (EOF) is organizing the Edo 1,000 Girls Summit, scheduled for October 16 at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City. The summit's theme, 'Invest in a Girl. Power the Future. Protect Her Freedom', reflects the foundation's commitment to addressing persistent concerns over girls' safety, educational attainment, and economic inclusion in Nigeria. With human trafficking prevention, menstrual health access, digital skills, and school-to-career opportunities on the agenda, the summit aims to equip young women with the tools they need to build safer, stronger futures.
The Edo State First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, will deliver the keynote address, focusing on safeguarding girls' rights, strengthening support systems, and encouraging female leadership. The summit is designed as a one-day intervention, bringing together students from across the state for mentorship, practical learning sessions, health information, and access to educational resources. This initiative combines public awareness with direct support, including planned laptop and scholarship awards, to empower girls and promote their educational and economic inclusion.
Human trafficking awareness will be a central part of the event, given Edo State's history as a focal point in national conversations about irregular migration and trafficking. Participants will receive information on recognizing deceptive recruitment tactics, reporting concerns, and reducing vulnerability to exploitation. The sessions will also address peer-to-peer awareness, encouraging girls to identify and discuss warning signs within their schools and communities. This education is particularly significant in preventing adolescent girls from falling prey to traffickers.
The summit will also address menstrual health and hygiene, an issue that can disrupt attendance and learning where girls lack information, privacy, or access to sanitary products. The programme will include leadership and personal-development sessions intended to build confidence, civic awareness, and long-term planning skills. These sessions aim to equip girls with the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their lives and futures.
A separate education and career track will promote digital literacy, academic achievement, and pathways into further education and employment. The Director-General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, will speak on leadership, self-development, and economic opportunities for young women. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals to the Edo State Government, Sally Suleiman, will discuss education and career routes linked to broader development targets.
The initiative comes as governments, schools, civil-society organisations, and development partners increasingly emphasise the need to keep girls in school, protect them from gender-based risks, and prepare them for a technology-driven economy. By combining grassroots advocacy with high-level institutional partnerships, the Emmanuel Osemota Foundation is working to create a safer and more supportive environment for girls in Edo State.
According to Emmanuel Osemota, founder of the Emmanuel Osemota Foundation, hosting 1,000 secondary school girls under one roof represents a critical operational milestone for the foundation. The summit's comprehensive approach, which includes mentorship, practical learning sessions, and access to educational resources, is expected to have a lasting impact on the lives of the participating girls.
Key points
- The Edo 1,000 Girls Summit aims to address human trafficking, education gaps, and economic inclusion for girls in Edo State, Nigeria.
- The summit will provide girls with information on recognising deceptive recruitment tactics, reporting concerns, and reducing vulnerability to exploitation.
- The initiative combines public awareness with direct support, including planned laptop and scholarship awards, to empower girls and promote their educational and economic inclusion.
