Edo Govt Backs South South Girls Rock 2026 Initiative To Empower Young Women
*BENIN CITY* – The Edo State Government has pledged its full support for the South South Girls Rock 2026 movement, an initiative designed to empower young women, bridge mentorship gaps and create opportunities for girls across Nigeria’s South-South region.
The commitment was made at the official unveiling of the initiative at the *Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Benin City
The event brought together government officials, women leaders, grassroots advocates, media practitioners and professionals from different sectors to promote a common agenda for the advancement of the girl child.
In her keynote remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State, Hon Eugenia Abdallah said under the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment where every girl could thrive without structural barriers.
She noted that access to education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, safety and leadership opportunities remained critical to positioning young women for meaningful participation in society.
The Commissioner also called on accomplished women to deliberately create space for younger women through mentorship and visible career pathways. She stressed that talent was not lacking in the South-South, adding that young women from the region deserved to be represented in decision-making spaces across different sectors.
The initiative, spearheaded by Empire TV, is focused on taking empowerment beyond financial assistance by addressing social vulnerabilities, providing career mentorship and amplifying the voices of girls whose experiences, particularly in rural communities, often go unnoticed.
Project Coordinator, JoJo Dominic, a former international supermodel, said the initiative was inspired by his personal journey and his desire to contribute to addressing systemic challenges confronting young women.
Reflecting on his international career, Dominic said returning home to contribute to the development of young women was a social responsibility. He called for stronger grassroots engagement, sustained mentorship and collective advocacy rather than a reliance on short-term financial interventions.
Dominic also warned that young girls were increasingly exposed to peer pressure, social media influences and premature relationships without adequate guidance. He urged women in positions of influence to actively mentor the younger generation, noting that neglecting vulnerable girls could eventually create wider social problems.
He further called for an end to stereotypes about the South-South, insisting that women from the region could build confidence, leadership capacity and careers that meet national and international standards.
State Coordinator of Business Women of Influence, Renewed Hope Agenda, Irene Obazee, encouraged women to remain steadfast in their pursuit of success despite the challenges they may encounter. Obazee said becoming a woman of influence in society requires hard work, resilience and the determination not to be deterred by setbacks.
In her presentation titled “The Price of the Mic: Sacrifice, Struggle & Staying,” Creative Director of GoldPointMedia, Adesuwa Lato, highlighted the realities confronting women working in the media industry. Drawing from her experience building her media company, Lato spoke about working long hours, chasing opportunities, producing content and overcoming the pressures that come with being a woman in a competitive industry.
She urged young women to understand that media was more than glamour and red-carpet appearances, stressing the importance of acquiring practical skills, building credibility and pursuing excellence.
Lato challenged young women to choose capacity-building over quick financial gains, noting that skills, consistency and professionalism provide a stronger foundation for long-term success. She called on established women to mentor younger girls, pay women
