‘Every Girl Deserves a Future’ — Christy Opara

By Joel Ajayi

Nigerian Olympian and Chief Executive Officer of SOHO24 Foundation, Ambassador Christy Opara MON, has called for greater investment in the education, protection, rights and sporting development of the girl-child, stressing that sports and education remain powerful tools for empowerment, confidence-building and leadership development.

Opara made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the foundation’s 2026 commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, organised with the support of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), among other partners.

The programme, themed “Empowerment of the Girl-Child Through Sports Development, Education and Performance,” is scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the SOHO24 Foundation Sports Park in Abuja, ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child observed annually on October 11.

Opara said the initiative was designed to go beyond the celebration of girls by creating practical opportunities for them to acquire knowledge, discover their talents, participate in sports, develop confidence and prepare for leadership.

She stressed that every girl should have access to quality education, protection, mentorship, sporting opportunities and the freedom to pursue her aspirations.

According to the Olympian, sports provide an effective platform for developing qualities that are essential for personal and leadership growth.

“Sports teach discipline, build confidence, develop leadership, promote teamwork and teach resilience,” she said.

Opara noted that participation in sports could help young girls discover their abilities, overcome barriers and develop the confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to society.

She said the foundation’s initiative was also in line with the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education, gender equality and the reduction of inequalities.

The SOHO24 Foundation CEO called for collective action to address challenges affecting the girl-child, including child marriage, lack of access to education, inadequate opportunities and other forms of vulnerability.

She said government, parents, schools, communities, traditional and religious leaders, corporate organisations and the media must work together to create an environment where girls can thrive.

Opara emphasised that investment in girls was an investment in the future of the country.

“When we invest in a girl’s education, we invest in knowledge. When we invest in her talent, we invest in possibility. When we invest in her confidence, we invest in leadership,” she said.

She also urged the media to use their platforms to amplify the voices, achievements and aspirations of young girls, saying greater visibility could inspire more girls to pursue their dreams.

The Olympian announced the ICPC and NCWS as new institutional partners of the foundation, noting that their participation would further strengthen the programme’s focus on protection, empowerment and development of the girl-child.

She said the 2026 edition would build on the foundation established during last year’s programme, while expanding its focus to sports, education, mentorship, performance development and community engagement.

“As an Olympian, mother, performance coach and founder of SOHO24 Foundation, I understand the transformative power of opportunity,” Opara said.

She added that her goal was to ensure that every girl participating in the programme leaves with greater confidence, stronger skills, positive experiences and a renewed belief in her potential.

Opara therefore urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and celebrations to concrete measures that would protect girls, expand opportunities and empower them to become productive members of society.

Her message, she said, remained simple: “Every girl deserves a future, every girl deserves an opportunity, every girl deserves protection, every girl deserves education and every girl deserves a voice.”

In her vote of thanks, SOHO24 General Manager, Grace Opara, expressed optimism that the programmes lined up by the foundation would achieve their objectives.

She thanked the partners, stakeholders and participants for their support and expressed confidence that sustained collaboration, commitment and dedication would ensure the success of the programmes and enable the foundation to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young girls.

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