NUF Launches ‘Pad a Girl Child’ Initiative, Reaffirms Youth Wellness Commitment
By Genesis ogiri
ABUJA - The Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) has reaffirmed its commitment to adolescent health and youth empowerment, reflecting on its 2025 Pad a Girl Child initiative, which combined menstrual hygiene education, sanitary pad distribution and personal hygiene awareness to promote the health, confidence and dignity of schoolchildren. The outreach, organised as part of the foundation’s Founder’s Day activities, underscored its commitment to translating humanitarian ideals into practical interventions that address the health and developmental needs of young people.
The initiative reflected the enduring vision of the foundation’s founder, Mrs. Nikki Udezue, who has established a tradition of dedicating her birthday to humanitarian service and community impact. Through the programme, the foundation sought to equip adolescents with essential health information, promote responsible hygiene practices and foster an environment where young people could discuss issues affecting their physical and emotional well-being without fear of embarrassment or stigma.
The event commenced with a welcome address by the school representative, Mr. Raymond Joseph, who expressed appreciation to the foundation for selecting the school as the beneficiary of the outreach. In her address, Mrs. Udezue emphasised the significance of celebrating personal milestones through service to humanity, stressing that access to health education, personal care resources and a supportive environment was essential to the confidence and dignity of young people. She also encouraged the students to remain informed, cultivate healthy habits and support one another.
The girls’ session, facilitated by Nurse Deborah Mbah, focused on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, with particular emphasis on safe menstrual practices, the proper use and disposal of sanitary pads, misconceptions surrounding menstruation and emotional well-being during adolescence. The interactive workshop provided participants with practical guidance on menstrual care while challenging myths capable of undermining girls’ confidence and self-esteem. As part of the intervention, all female students received sanitary pads to support their menstrual hygiene needs.
In a complementary session, Nurse Ibegbulem Mathew facilitated a personal hygiene awareness programme for the boys, addressing daily hygiene routines, bodily changes associated with puberty, personal grooming, self-respect and healthy lifestyle practices. The engagement encouraged participants to take responsibility for their personal cleanliness and develop habits conducive to their overall well-being. Male students also received hygiene kits containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, soaps and shaving sticks, reinforcing the practical lessons delivered during the workshop.
The outreach recorded encouraging responses from participants, with the girls demonstrating improved understanding of menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, while many reportedly expressed greater confidence following the engagement. The boys equally showed considerable interest in discussions on puberty, body care and personal grooming. Their active participation and willingness to seek clarification underscored the importance of age-appropriate health education in equipping adolescents with the knowledge required to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Beyond the classroom sessions, the programme created a supportive learning environment in which students could openly discuss sensitive health concerns, clarify misconceptions and engage directly with the facilitators. Participants from both groups expressed interest in additional health education sessions, highlighting the need for sustained awareness initiatives that address the evolving physical, emotional and social needs of adolescents.
The foundation’s approach combined health education with the distribution of essential personal care products, recognising that effective adolescent health interventions require both reliable information and access to practical resources. By extending the programme to boys as well as girls, NUF promoted an inclusive approach to youth wellness, reinforcing the importance of personal hygiene, health literacy, self-confidence and mutual respect in the transition from childhood to adulthood.
The 2025 Pad a Girl Child outreach exemplified the Nikki Udezue Foundation’s commitment to humanitarian service, community development and youth empowerment. As the foundation’s activities continue to draw attention to the importance of adolescent well-being in 2026, the initiative serves as a reminder of the value of sustained investment in young people’s health, dignity and development.
