The Chief Executive Officer of Pams Travels & Tours Limited, Mrs Olanike Mustapha, has reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the rights, education, protection and empowerment of the girl child, unveiling an ambition to reach and empower 10,000 girls through sustained advocacy initiatives.
Mustapha made this known in her address as the Convener of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration organised by Pams Travels & Tours Limited held at Our Lady of Apostles, Fatimah Bus Stop, Odo Ona, Ibadan, Oyo State
The event, held under the theme, “The Girl Child: Her Rights, Her Voice, Her Future,” brought together invited speakers, school management, teachers, parents and students to discuss issues affecting the development and future of the girl child.
In her speech, Mustapha described the celebration as more than an annual event, saying it represented a commitment to ensuring that every girl had the opportunity to grow, dream, learn, lead and realise her full potential.
She noted that Pams Travels & Tours Limited had, over the years, engaged schoolgirls through advocacy activities, school visits and interactive sessions focusing on their rights, education, confidence and future aspirations.
According to her, society must begin to recognise girls for their potentials rather than their circumstances, stressing that a girl should not be seen merely as a future wife or mother but also as a potential professional, entrepreneur, scientist, innovator, leader and nation builder.
On the rights of the girl child, Mustapha emphasised that every girl deserved education, protection, dignity, respect and equal opportunities.
She maintained that no girl should be denied education because of her gender or made to feel inferior because of societal expectations.
Addressing the students, the Pams Travels CEO urged them never to underestimate the power of their voices, encouraging them to ask questions, express their ideas, participate in discussions, develop their talents and speak up whenever something was wrong.
She also encouraged the girls to seek assistance from trusted adults whenever they felt unsafe.
As part of efforts to strengthen the advocacy, Mustapha highlighted the Girl Child Voice Project 2026, with the message, “My Voice. My Rights. My Future.”
She explained that the project was designed to create platforms where girls could express themselves, communicate their concerns and demonstrate that their thoughts and opinions mattered.
She further urged the students to take their education seriously, acquire relevant skills, build good character and remain disciplined, curious and courageous in pursuing their aspirations.
Mustapha also called on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to take greater responsibility for the development of young girls by listening to them, encouraging their ambitions, protecting their dignity and providing opportunities for them to participate in leadership and decision-making.
She said girls should not merely be raised to fit into society but equipped to contribute meaningfully to its development and bring about positive changes.
Speaking on the vision of the advocacy, she said Pams Travels & Tours Limited was committed to creating platforms through which girls could learn about the world, discover opportunities beyond their immediate environments and understand that their dreams could take them far.
She disclosed that the organisation’s aspiration was to reach, inspire and empower 10,000 girls through strategic partnerships with schools, individuals, organisations and other stakeholders.
Among the guests and invited speakers at the celebration were Dr Grace Olufunmilayo Areghan, a social worker, child protection advocate, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) practitioner and youth development advocate, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Expressive Grace Initiative Humanity Empowerment.
Also in attendance was Mrs Shotomwa-Roagess Oluyinka, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
The celebration provided an opportunity to sensitise schoolgirls on their rights, encourage confidence and self-expression, and promote collective responsibility towards protecting and empowering the girl child.
