Edo State First Lady, Dr. Betsy Obaseki, in collaboration with her counterparts from across Nigeria, has taken a strong stand against the rising cases of teenage pregnancy and abortion, which continue to impede the social and economic development of young girls.
In a notable show of solidarity, Mrs. Obaseki, alongside Oyo State First Lady Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde and other prominent former First Ladies, led discussions aimed at curbing these alarming trends. The event took place in Benin City during the fourth edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), with this year’s theme being, “Say No to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment.”
In her address, Dr. Obaseki highlighted the significant progress made in addressing issues affecting the girl-child, particularly the widespread adoption of the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law. She noted that the number of states implementing the law had grown from just 12 to 35, a testament to the increasing commitment to safeguarding the rights of young girls.
“This fight has yielded fruitful results,” she said. “We are not only here to promote football; we are here to tackle pressing social issues affecting girls across Nigeria.” She further stressed that teenage pregnancy and abortion, particularly prevalent in the South-South region, continue to expose young girls to serious health risks like Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), while also condemning the abandonment of vulnerable teenage mothers by their exploiters.
Former First Ladies Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi of Ekiti State and Nneoma Okorocha of Imo State added their voices to the campaign, expressing gratitude to Dr. Obaseki for spearheading initiatives that have positively impacted countless lives. They commended her for ensuring that the BOWFT goes beyond sports by tackling societal vices that threaten the well-being of the girl-child.
Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, delivering the keynote address titled, “The Edo Model: A Blueprint for Combating Teenage Pregnancy in the South-South,” lauded Mrs. Obaseki’s approach as a pioneering strategy that empowers girls to resist exploitation. She affirmed, “The Edo model engages young girls, providing them with the tools to navigate the challenges they face.”
PHOTO CAPTION
(L-R) Former First Ladies: Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola (Osun), Mrs. Martha Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Mrs. Linda Ayade (Cross River), Mrs. Nneoma Okorocha (Imo); Osun State First Lady Mrs. Titilola Adeleke; Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Ekiti); Edo State First Lady Dr. Betsy Obaseki; Oyo State First Lady Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde; Bayelsa State First Lady Mrs. Gloria Douye Diri; Taraba State First Lady Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas; and Jigawa State First Lady Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi at the seminar during the fourth edition of the BOWFT in Benin City, themed “Say No to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment.” The event took place on October 15, 2024.