FIC Report (Abia State) – The capital city of Abia State came alive as Protect the Precious Foundation hosted the fourth edition of its annual Girls Summit with the theme “Finding Your Voice”.
The event, held at Ekeala Event Centre, gathered students from 22 secondary schools, women leaders, educators, and advocates for girl-child development, all united in promoting confidence, self-awareness, and leadership among young girls.
Representing the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, was Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, wife of the Deputy Governor.
In her goodwill address, Mrs. Otti commended the foundation for its steadfast advocacy and passion for uplifting young women, describing it as “a beacon of hope” for the girl child.
She emphasized that the Abia State Government remains fully committed to education, leadership development, and empowerment programs that enhance the well-being of girls across the state.
“Today is a special day to celebrate you, uplift you, and remind you that your voice matters,” Mrs. Otti said. “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.”
She highlighted some key empowerment initiatives, including the training of 54 young women in catering and event management at Vivdak Catering and Events Institute, as well as the Leadership Academy and Techrise programs, which have benefited nearly half of the participating girls.
“Through these efforts, we are equipping our girls with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to excel,” she added. “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 concluded with a powerful charge:
“You are precious, valuable, and worthy. Protect your dreams fiercely, and never allow anyone to silence you.”
Renowned actress and women’s rights advocate, Mrs. Hilda Dokubo, delivered a deeply emotional message that resonated with every participant. Drawing from her personal experiences in film and activism, she urged the girls to live purposefully, embrace their uniqueness, and reject societal stereotypes that limit their potential.
“You are not defined by where you come from or what others think of you,” Dokubo said. “You are defined by your choices, your passion, and your courage to rise every time you fall. Don’t let fear or judgments silence your greatness.”
She emphasized the transformative power of storytelling and self-expression, encouraging the girls to use their voices to challenge harmful narratives.
“Your story is your strength,” she declared. “Use it to inspire change — in your home, your school, and your community.”
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, spoke with passion about self-discovery, resilience, and self-belief.
She challenged participants to ask themselves the question, “Who am I?” — describing self-knowledge as the foundation for finding one’s voice.
“Don’t wait for anyone to define who you are,” Yesufu said. “Your worth is not determined by people’s opinions but by your purpose and perseverance. Permit yourself to succeed, fight for your reputation, and never give up.”
She also addressed misconceptions surrounding feminism, clarifying that it is not a rivalry between men and women but a recognition of the unique strength and virtue of womanhood.
“Be strong enough to think right about yourself, to study hard, and to dream boldly,” she added. “You can put yourself on the global map through excellence and integrity.”
Lady Dr. Sarah Umahi, founder of the Global Initiative for Women in Leadership (GIFWIL), spoke on “The Girl Child, Self-Confidence, and Adverse Childhood Experiences.”
She highlighted how early-life trauma can damage a girl’s self-worth and limit her leadership potential.
“Millions of girls face experiences that damage their self-worth and limit their potential,” she explained. “To heal, we must combine education, emotional therapy, and spiritual balance to restore self-confidence and empowerment.”
Dr. Umahi outlined holistic approaches such as trauma-informed education, mentorship, counseling, and energy-based therapies including Meridian Tapping and Chakra Stimulation, which she said can release fear and foster inner peace.
In her inspiring welcome address, the Lead Person of Protect the Precious Foundation, Ambassador Norah Okafor, reaffirmed the organization’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 recognize the power within her,” Okafor said. “Too often, girls are silenced by fear, stigma, or culture. But silence is not strength — speaking up is.”
She announced the official launch of the Mentor-the-Mentee Initiative, a new program pairing secondary school girls for guidance, accountability, and sisterhood.
“Our goal is to build a network of support and empowerment,” she explained. “Every girl deserves to know she is not alone — not in school, not at home, not in society.”
Okafor thanked the First Lady of Abia State and all distinguished guests for their support and expressed hope that the summit would spark transformation in every participant.
“We want every girl, regardless of her background, to be bold enough to speak when abused, brave enough to ask for help when overwhelmed, and empowered enough to dream beyond limitation.”
The Protect the Precious Foundation’s Girls Summit 4.0 underscored Abia State’s growing commitment to girl-child empowerment, gender equality, and education.
By fostering mentorship, leadership, and self-confidence, the initiative continues to shape a generation of young women ready to lead, innovate, and inspire both locally and globally.
The event climaxed with vibrant cultural performances and the inauguration of mentor-mentee clubs across participating schools — marking another milestone in Abia State’s united effort to ensure that every girl finds her voice and uses it to change the world.
The Deputy Governor’s wife was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, and other senior government officials.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia Abia State.
October 19, 2025
