The Fourth Edition of the annual Girls Summit, organised by the Protect the Precious Foundation, has ended in Umuahia with a call on young girls to discover their identity, build confidence, and speak up for themselves in the pursuit of their dreams.
Organised by Ambassador Norah Okafor, the summit, themed “Finding Your Voice,” held at the Ekeala Event Centre in Umuahia, brought together students from 22 secondary schools, women leaders, and advocates of girl-child development to promote confidence, self-awareness, and leadership among young girls.
Amb. Norah Okafor
Notable speakers at the event included the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Mrs Aisha Yesufu, renowned actress and women’s rights advocate, Mrs Hilda Dokubo, and Founder of the Global Initiative for Women in Leadership (GIFWIL), Lady Dr Sarah Umahi, among others.
In her address, Mrs Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, commended the Protect the Precious Foundation for its commitment to empowering the girl child, describing it as “a beacon of hope” for young women.
“Today is a special day to celebrate you, uplift you, and remind you that your voice matters,” the Abia First Lady stated.
She emphasized that the present administration is committed to protecting and uplifting the girl child through education, leadership training, and empowerment programs.
“In Abia State, we consider the empowerment of the girl child a sacred trust. My office and the Safe Tent Care Initiative have been working tirelessly to unlock the potential of our girls through quality education, skills acquisition and mentorship.
“We must continue to work together, Government, Civil Society, and Communities, to ensure that our girls thrive in a safe, secure environment, free from fear and intimidation,” she said.
In her keynote address, co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Mrs Aisha Yesufu, emphasised the importance of self-discovery, resilience and self-belief, urging participants to begin their journey of empowerment by asking themselves the question, “Who am I?” as a first step to finding their voice.
“Be strong enough to think right about yourself, to study hard, and to dream boldly,” she advised. “You can put yourself on the global map through excellence and integrity.”
“Don’t wait for anyone to define who you are. Your worth is not determined by people’s opinions but by your purpose and perseverance. Give yourself permission to succeed, fight for your reputation and never give up,” she advised.
Yesufu also clarified misconceptions about feminism, stating that it is not about rivalry between men and women but about recognising and asserting the unique strengths and virtues of womanhood.
Hilda Dokubo
In her presentation, renowned actress and advocate for women’s rights, Mrs Hilda Dokubo, encouraged the young girls to embrace their uniqueness and rise above societal stereotypes.
“You are not defined by where you come from or what others think of you. You are defined by your choices, your passion and your courage to rise every time you fall. Don’t let fear or judgment silence your greatness,” Mrs Dokubo said.
She also emphasised the power of storytelling and self-expression as tools of empowerment and enjoined the young girls to “use it to inspire change in your home, your school, and your community. Your story is your strength,” she said.
Speaking on “The Girl Child, Self-Confidence and Adverse Childhood Experiences,” the Founder of the Global Initiative for Women in Leadership (GIFWIL), Lady Dr Sarah Umahi, highlighted how early-life trauma can affect a girl’s emotional development, confidence and leadership potential.
Dr Umahi recommended trauma-informed education, mentorship, counselling, and energy-based therapies such as Meridian Tapping and Chakra Stimulation to help girls release fear and build inner peace.
“Millions of girls face experiences that damage their self-worth and limit their potential. To heal, we must combine education, emotional therapy and spiritual balance to restore self-confidence and empowerment,” she said.
Earlier in her welcome address, Founder of the Protect the Precious Foundation, Ambassador Norah Okafor, reaffirmed the organisation’s mission to empower young girls through education, mentorship and advocacy.
“This year’s theme, ‘Finding Your Voice,’ is a call to action for every girl to recognise the power within her.
“Too often, girls are silenced by fear, stigma, or culture. But silence is not strength; speaking up is,” Ambassador Okafor said.
She also announced the launch of the Mentor-the-Mentee Initiative, a programme designed to connect secondary school girls with mentors for guidance and accountability.
“Our goal is to build a network of support, sisterhood, and empowerment. Every girl deserves to know she is not alone — not in school, at home, or in society,” she said.
