By Ramat Ayo Ismail
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kwara State Chapter, has joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child 2026 with a strong call to end child marriage and invest in the education and rights of the girl child.
The celebration was held on Sunday at Afon Primary School, Afon, under the theme: “End Child Marriage, Invest in Child Rights and Education.”
In her welcome address, the Amirah of FOMWAN Kwara State, Hajia Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, said the day is set aside to recognise the rights, potentials and contributions of every girl child in society.
According to her, the theme is a reminder that every girl deserves a safe childhood, quality education and the opportunity to fulfil her dreams.
Oladimeji decried the practice of child marriage, noting that it deprives girls of their childhood, limits their education and exposes them to serious health and social challenges.
“Child marriage deprives girls of their childhood, limits their education, and exposes them to serious health and social challenges. We must therefore work together to end this harmful practice and create an environment where every girl can learn, grow, and succeed,” she said.
The Amirah stressed that educating a girl is not a waste of resources but an investment in the future of families, communities and the nation at large.
She noted that every girl deserves the right to education, protection, dignity and equal opportunities, and urged parents, government, community leaders and all stakeholders to join hands in protecting the girl child and ensuring that no girl is left behind.
In her opening remarks, the Vice Chairperson of Asa Local Government, Hajia Rasheedat Issa Abubakar, who was a special guest at the event, urged girls to be determined, focused and
committed to their education.
She said every girl has the potential to become great if she remains determined and refuses to be distracted by early marriage or other social vices.
She assured that Asa Local Government will continue to support initiatives that promote girl-child education and end harmful practices such as child marriage in the local government.
Also speaking, the FOMWAN State Youth Amira, Dr Bashirat Abdulganeey, explained that child marriage is not a solution to teenage pregnancy because it harms the physical, mental and social well-being of young girls.
According to her, the theme of this year’s celebration — “End Child Marriage, Invest in Child Rights and Education” — is apt and timely, as investing in a girl is investing in the future of the nation.
Speaking on the theme, the Deputy Dawah Officer, Hajia Lateefah Aromaradu, described child marriage as a harmful practice that is against the principles of Islam and detrimental to the future of the girl child.
She noted that Islam places a high premium on the pursuit of knowledge for both males and females, and therefore no girl should be denied education under the guise of marriage.
“Early marriage cuts short the dreams of our girls. A girl who should be in school learning and acquiring skills is forced into motherhood she is not prepared for. This is not Islamic. Islam encourages education and the protection of the girl child,” she said.
Hajia Aromaradu emphasised that parental responsibility is key, urging parents to prioritise girl-child education, provide quality healthcare and protect them from all forms of abuse.
In their separate goodwill messages, members of the FOMWAN Board of Trustees, Hajia Raliat Sanni, and the Kwara South and Kogi Zonal Coordinator, Hajia Kuburah Bello, called on government, traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to enforce laws against child marriage and invest more in girls’ education, vocational skills and well-being.
In her closing remarks, the Asa Local Government Amira, Hajia Fausiyah Usman, commended FOMWAN Kwara State Chapter for organising the programme and for its consistent advocacy for the protection, education and empowerment of women and girls in the state.
As part of activities to mark the day, FOMWAN Kwara earlier held a special Jumu’ah sermon on the theme across Jumu’ah mosques in the state, as well as a radio sensitisation programme on parental responsibility for girl-child education, quality healthcare and protection.
