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| Levi C. Adikwaone, Esq. |
By a concerned member of a Community!
As our community prepares to join the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of the Girl-Child on October 11, 2025, it is both timely and necessary that we pause to reflect on what this observance truly means, beyond the festivities, banners, and speeches.
The celebration of the girl-child is indeed noble. It recognises her worth, her right to education, her freedom, and her equal place in society. Many of our schools and community leaders, including respected traditional figures, have expressed readiness to mark the day in grand style. Their enthusiasm deserves commendation. Yet, sincerity requires that we also examine our actions in light of recent history.
Only a few months ago, our community observed the Oro Festival, a revered but restrictive traditional event, on May 27 (Children’s Day) and June 12 (Democracy Day). These are days universally and nationally set aside to honour our children and our collective freedom as a people. Unfortunately, during those very days, our daughters were confined indoors, with fears all over them, unable to join their peers elsewhere in celebration.
Concerned members of the community, including some of us in the legal profession, quietly approached some stakeholders to express our discomfort with the coincidence and to appeal for moderation in future scheduling. We believed that dialogue, guided by wisdom, would yield understanding.
We were happy with the assurances given to us that every effort would be made in the future to avoid a repeat or such unfortunate coincidence.
The coincidence was deeply disheartening, not because we oppose our traditions, or because of non universality of same, but because we believe culture should inspire unity, not division; understanding, not exclusion. It was even more painful to observe that the coincidence appeared to carry the endorsement of some respected members of the legal community. The law, as we know, should be a lamp of progress, guiding culture toward fairness and humanity, not validating its excesses.
It bears restating that culture and civilisation need not be adversaries. True culture is living; it evolves with wisdom, compassion, and justice. It does not silence its daughters on days meant for their celebration.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) leaves no room for ambiguity:
Section 17(2)(b) calls for the promotion of equality and dignity of the human person;
Section 42(1) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; and
The Child Rights Act guarantees every child the right to freedom, education, and participation in social life.
Against this backdrop, our forthcoming Girl-Child Day celebration must be guided by sincerity of purpose. It should not become a yearly ritual of fine speeches but a genuine commitment to dismantle the barriers, cultural or otherwise, that limit the full expression of the girl-child’s rights and potential.
If we must celebrate the girl-child, then let us also defend her. Let us ensure that never again will our customs clash with her freedom, or our festivals overshadow her joy.
In truth, the greatness of a community is not measured by how stubbornly it defends its past, but by how wisely it shapes its future. Let this year’s celebration be a turning point, a call to harmonise tradition with justice, and heritage with humanity.
May wisdom guide our elders, courage inspire our leaders, and compassion guard the destinies of our daughters.
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