Catching them young has been described as the most effective strategy for reshaping negative narratives surrounding the girl child, especially in the area of personal development and empowerment.
This was the central message at the 2025 edition of “Girls Play Forward”, a children’s day initiative held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. The event, themed “We Are Tomorrow,” was sponsored by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board member, Aisha Falode, and organized by the Edo State Football Association.
The programme specifically targeted young girls between the ages of 5 and 15, with the aim of nurturing their interest in sports, particularly football. It was conceived as a deliberate effort to reframe the societal perception of the girl child and promote positive alternatives to issues like irregular migration, human trafficking, and child labour.
Represented by Ayoola Adeleke, Aisha Falode emphasized that the Girls Play Forward initiative was designed to expose girls to the vast opportunities available in the world of football—not just as players, but also as scouts, coaches, and other professionals in the sports ecosystem.
“The story of the girl child, especially in Edo, needs to be rewritten,” she said. “With this initiative, we are offering these girls a vision of a better, more productive future through football.”
Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, and Vice Chairman Paul Ojeisekhoba, who also chaired the Local Organizing Committee, commended Falode’s vision. They noted that the event had ignited a new passion in the participating children and planted seeds of ambition to pursue careers in sports.
The day’s activities featured interactive games promoting teamwork, entertainment segments, and refreshments—all of which combined to make the event both educative and fun-filled for the children.
Clement Oserah reports for Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS).
