In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) took its advocacy campaign to schools across Lagos State on Friday, October 10th, 2025.
The program, themed Girl’s Vision for the Future: My Identity, My Power, Creating Safer Spaces for the Nigerian Girl Child, was held at Gbaja Girls Senior High School, Gbaja Girls Junior High School, New Era Senior Secondary School and New Era Junior Secondary School.
The event attracted dignitaries from across the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, who was represented by ACP Olutoyin Kazeem, Officer in Charge of Gender, Lagos Command, and DCP Tayo Akinbisehin, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State POCACOV Coordinator, SP Olivia Ugochukwu, emphasized that the initiative was aimed at giving young girls a sense of belonging while creating safer environments that encourage them to thrive. She noted that the campaign focuses on steering girls away from vices such as cultism, hooliganism, drug abuse and thuggery; behaviors that can endanger their futures.
Ugochukwu said that Nigerian girls should not be limited or profiled based on their gender or background. She added that what they need is mentorship because they are at a vulnerable stage in life and with the right guidance, they can grow into responsible, independent and formidable women. Through modern technological skills, they can make sound decisions that will shape a stronger future for themselves and the nation, she stated.
The Chairman of POCACOV Lagos State, Dr. Moses Oladimeji, described the celebration as an opportunity to inspire girls to envision and secure a better future. He highlighted the visit as a platform for value reorientation and self-discovery, helping girls understand that they possess the power to become great leaders and mothers of tomorrow.
Dr. Oladimeji also called on government and private organizations to develop female-inclusive programs that promote education, skill acquisition and technological empowerment. According to him, such initiatives will instill a sense of duty and self-reliance in young girls, enabling them to live meaningful and sustainable lives.
The event concluded with interactive sessions, motivational talks, and the reaffirmation of POCACOV’s commitment to building a generation of confident, empowered and morally upright Nigerian girls.
