By Christiana Nnaemeka
The founder of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, on Wednesday urged the Imo State Government to urgently provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in all schools to protect girls’ dignity and keep them in class.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ada Owere 1, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the launch of the GEMS Cluster Mentorship and Menstrual Hygiene Outreach Programme held at Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri, on June 24, 2026.
The event was organized by NAFA, Gridiron GEMS, Pads for Her Initiative, in collaboration with the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation.
Speaking on the theme, “Sportsmanship, Mentorship, Leadership and Menstrual Health: A Holistic Approach to Developing the Girl-Child,” Anyanwu-Akeredolu said girl-child development must go beyond classroom learning to include physical well-being, leadership training, mentorship, self-confidence, and personal dignity.
“For over a decade, through the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, I have worked with thousands of girls across Nigeria, equipping them with digital skills, solar technology training, leadership development, mentorship, and life-enhancing skills,” she said. “Our experience has consistently demonstrated that when girls are empowered with knowledge, confidence, and opportunities, they become catalysts for positive change in their families, communities, and nation.”
The former First Lady of Ondo State described sports as “a powerful instrument for personal development,” noting that girls learn discipline, teamwork, resilience, and respect for rules through athletics.
“Sports participation also improves physical fitness, mental well-being, self-esteem, and confidence,” she said. “Girls who engage in sports are often better equipped to face challenges, take calculated risks, and believe in their own abilities.”
She decried societal stereotypes that discourage girls from sports and urged stakeholders to “challenge such notions and encourage every girl to embrace sports as a pathway to confidence and personal growth.”
On mentorship, Anyanwu-Akeredolu said every successful woman can point to role models who guided her journey. “Mentorship transforms uncertainty into confidence, potential into purpose, and aspirations into achievement,” she stated.
She added that leadership development must start early. “Leadership is not about titles or positions. Leadership is about influence, responsibility, vision, and service. Girls must be encouraged to think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems, and take initiative.”
Turning to menstrual health, the BEMORE founder said menstruation remains “one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of girl-child development.”
“For some girls, menstruation becomes a barrier to education. They miss classes, lose confidence, and struggle in silence because they lack access to menstrual hygiene products and adequate facilities,” she said.
“Menstrual health is not merely a health issue. It is an education issue, a gender equity issue, and a human dignity issue.”
Anyanwu-Akeredolu stressed that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, is critical to menstrual health. “A girl cannot effectively maintain menstrual hygiene where there is no water, no private toilet, and no sanitary disposal facility.”
She described it as “deeply embarrassing” that in 2026 many schools across Imo State still lack basic water and sanitation facilities. “This situation is unacceptable,” she said.
“The absence of functional toilets and reliable water supply affects all students, but adolescent girls suffer the greatest consequences. Every school day missed because of menstruation represents a lost educational opportunity. When a girl is forced to choose between her education and her dignity, society has failed her.”
The keynote speaker called on the Imo State Government, the ministries of Education and Health, local government authorities, development partners, school administrators, and community leaders to make WASH facilities an urgent priority.
“Every school in Imo State should have reliable access to clean water, safe, private, and functional toilets for girls, handwashing stations with soap and water, appropriate systems for the disposal of menstrual waste, and comprehensive menstrual health education programmes,” she said.
“These are not luxuries. They are necessities. A school without water and toilets cannot provide a conducive learning environment for students, especially girls.”
Anyanwu-Akeredolu who is the standard bearer of Labour Party (LP) for Owerri Federal Constituency seat for the 2027 election, said the development of the girl-child requires all four pillars working together. “Sportsmanship builds character, resilience, and confidence. Mentorship provides guidance, inspiration, and direction.
Leadership develops responsibility, vision, and courage. Menstrual health protects dignity, well-being, and educational opportunity.”
She added: “The BEMORE experience has shown that when we invest intentionally in girls, we invest in stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger nation. Let us empower our girls today so that they may confidently lead us into a brighter tomorrow.”
The GEMS Cluster Mentorship and Menstrual Hygiene Outreach Programme aims to combine sports clinics, leadership sessions, mentorship pairing, and menstrual health education for secondary school girls in Imo State.
In her vote of thanks, one of the recipients of the gifts, Precious thanked the organizers for the programme.
She said, “It was impactful for all of us. This day shall be a memorable day in our lives. I’m so glad I can’t forget this day. I love the gifts; I love the teaching. I also want to thank Her Excellency, the former First Lady of Ondo State, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. Her own teaching was so impactful, even as she promised to do something good for us, we would like to say thank you, Ma.”
Also in an interview, the founder of the ‘Pads For Her Initiative,’ Mrs. Amarachi Blessing Ujima explained that in ‘A Sport For Development Activation,’ “We’re trying to mentor young girls and teach them about leadership and menstrual hygiene. My speech was mostly about menstrual hygiene,” she said.
The coordinator of Gems Cluster Mentorship Program (GCMP) and Vice President of Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), Nancy Damhindi, said, “Today, in Owerri, Imo State, we launched the Gems Cluster Mentorship Program in partnership with Pads For Her Initiative where we’re driving the menstrual hygiene outreach.
“What NAFA does basically is to create opportunities for young women and men through the sport of American football. We understood that ladies are limited in several ways: visibility, mentorship, hygiene, period poverty and menstrual hygiene. So we crafted this programme to solve two issues….,” she stated.
Discover more from NATIONAL BEAM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
