Over 200 participants, including about 150 adolescents drawn from secondary schools and youth-focused organisations across Sapele and neighbouring communities, converged on Sapele, Delta State, for the 2026 edition of the Maden Empowered Adolescents Forum organised by the Maden Healthcare Foundation.
The forum, themed “Building Confidence, Empathy and Healthy Futures,” was held to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child and World Menstrual Hygiene Day, with discussions centred on emotional well-being, self-esteem, menstrual hygiene, peer relationships and healthy decision-making among adolescents.
The event brought together students from several secondary schools, including Okpe Grammar School, Orodje Secondary School, Chude Girls Model Secondary School, Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School, Gana Mixed Secondary School, Urhiapele Mixed Secondary School, Okotie Eboh Grammar School and Ziks Grammar School, among others.
Faith-based adolescent organisations such as the Girls Auxiliary (GA) and Royal Ambassador Organisation (RA) also participated actively in the programme.
The forum was organised in collaboration with several development and advocacy groups, including UN Women Sapele LGA GEWE Coordination Mechanism, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, Rotary International through the Rotary E-Club of One World D9141, and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, among others.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions on emotional health, self-confidence, menstrual hygiene and drug abuse prevention, while games and open conversations encouraged adolescents to speak freely about challenges affecting them.
One of the major highlights of the event was the “Adolescent Voices” segment, where participants openly shared concerns about societal pressures, stigma, emotional struggles and the need for stronger support systems from parents, schools and communities.
Speaking during the programme, organisers stressed the importance of equipping adolescents with the right knowledge, support and confidence needed to make responsible life choices and become productive members of society.
Government officials present at the event included the Director of the Post Primary Education Board (PPEB), Sapele LGA, Patience Edesiri, and the Chief Inspector of Education, Ministry of Education, Sapele, Ziregbe Onoriobarorakpo.
The organisers also appreciated the Director of the Delta State Vocational Education Centre, Sapele, for providing the venue free of charge in support of adolescent-focused initiatives.
As part of the outreach activities, educational posters on menstrual and hand hygiene were distributed to participating schools, while Maden Emergency Menstrual Hygiene Kits were presented to participants to support menstrual dignity and hygiene management.
Participants also received notebooks and pens donated by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Sapele Zone, as well as copies of a self-esteem book authored by the founder of the foundation, Dr Ese Agbatutu.
The programme ended with adolescents making personal pledges aimed at promoting kindness, confidence, mutual respect, peer support, menstrual dignity and drug-free lifestyles. The pledges were displayed publicly on specially designed “Pledge Walls” as a symbol of collective commitment to positive behavioural change.
Organisers called for sustained collaboration among parents, schools, government agencies, faith-based groups and community organisations to ensure adolescents are adequately protected, supported and empowered to thrive.
Reviewed by NewBuzz
on
May 26, 2026
Rating:
No comments: