The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has urged parents and guardians to reject early marriage and invest in girl child education. The organisation called for equal opportunities for girls and boys to develop their talents and achieve their ambitions.
Enugu State AGILE Coordinator, Dr. Ebele Georgina Chukwu Onuora, made the appeal during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration. The event took place at the International Conference Centre in Enugu on Thursday, October 15.
The celebration featured the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.” Onuora urged families to move away from practices that force girls into marriage before adulthood and interrupt their education.
She described every girl as an asset to society whose future deserves protection. According to her, early marriage can limit a girl’s opportunities and prevent her from reaching her full potential.
Read this next: Fuel Subsidy Removal: Dennis Agbo Hails Tinubu’s Reform, Criticises Palliative Failures
AGILE Coordinator Warns Against Early Marriage
Onuora said the celebration provided an opportunity to address child marriage and strengthen support for girls. She called for greater investment in their education, health, protection, empowerment and overall development.
She acknowledged that marriage remains an important institution but stressed that it should not cut short a child’s education. She explained that marriage requires maturity, responsibility and informed consent, while childhood requires protection, guidance and freedom to grow.
“Marriage is a beautiful institution, but it should not become a shortcut that robs a child of her childhood,” she said.
Onuora also questioned why society describes children as future leaders while allowing girls to enter marriage before they can pursue their ambitions. She urged parents to give girls enough time and support to prepare for leadership and professional careers.
Come back to this: Ogbuekwe Establishes Ward Electricity Management Committees, Begins ESEA Training in Nkanu East
Onuora Urges Parents to Support Girls’ Ambitions
The AGILE coordinator said girls should have the opportunity to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, teaching, journalism, entrepreneurship and public service. She warned that early marriage could prevent them from achieving their educational and professional goals.
Onuora illustrated the consequences by comparing the opportunities girls should enjoy with the responsibilities that early marriage may impose. She said girls should focus on their studies rather than face household responsibilities before they reach adulthood.
She also urged parents to celebrate their daughters’ academic achievements and encourage them to discover their talents. According to her, families should support girls who aspire to achieve greater things.
The coordinator maintained that girls deserve the same encouragement and opportunities as boys. She called on families to recognise their daughters’ abilities and allow them to develop their potential.
Related reads: Uzo-Uwani Chairman Ezugwu Swears In 16 Councillors, Charges Them on Effective Legislation4
AGILE Calls on Traditional and Religious Leaders to Act
Onuora urged traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to speak against child marriage. She said their influence could help families reconsider harmful practices and support girls’ education.
According to her, community leaders can shape attitudes by advocating for the protection and empowerment of girls. She encouraged them to work with families to create communities where girls can complete their education and pursue their ambitions.
“When you stand against child marriage, you help to change attitudes and protect generations yet unborn,” she said.
She also called for collective action to ensure that communities celebrate girls for passing examinations, discovering their talents and pursuing their goals. Onuora said such support would help build a society where girls can develop their abilities without unnecessary restrictions.
AGILE Says Culture Should Protect Girls’ Futures
The coordinator acknowledged the importance of preserving African and Nigerian cultural heritage. She noted that traditions promote respect for elders, family responsibility, communal living and shared values.
However, she argued that cultural practices should not deny children their fundamental rights. She urged communities to distinguish between traditions that strengthen society and practices that restrict girls’ opportunities.
Onuora said culture should promote human dignity and protect vulnerable members of society. She added that communities could preserve their heritage without sacrificing the education and future of their daughters.
She also emphasised the importance of building on positive cultural values, including education, good character, hard work and family honour. According to her, these values can support girls’ development rather than limit their ambitions.
Stakeholders Back Investment in Girl Child Education
Several personalities at the celebration supported AGILE’s call for greater investment in girls’ education. They urged parents to allow their daughters to pursue their ambitions and choose their future careers.
Those who spoke included the Chairman of the Ezeagu Traditional Rulers Council, Enugu State, Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe. The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Management Board in Enugu, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ngbodile, also attended.
Prof. Ben Etiaba and Nze Akachukwu equally supported the call to expand opportunities for girls. They agreed that girls could become governors, presidents, doctors, lawyers, journalists or scientists when given the necessary support.
Their comments reinforced the central message of the celebration: girls need education, protection and opportunities to develop their abilities. The participants urged families and communities to help girls pursue their ambitions without pressure to marry early.
Schools Hold Debate on Early Marriage and Education
A major highlight of the celebration was a debate involving students from two Green and Smart Schools campuses. The participating teams represented Owo Campus and Maryland Campus.
The debate focused on whether early marriage should take priority over secondary school education. It gave students an opportunity to engage with the issue at the centre of the International Day of the Girl Child celebration.
The programme also featured pantomime and other entertainment activities. These performances added to the event while keeping attention on girls’ rights, education and protection.
The celebration ended with renewed calls for parents, schools, community leaders and religious institutions to support girls’ development. AGILE urged stakeholders to help create an environment where girls can complete their education, discover their talents and pursue their ambitions.
