The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with Torkwase Records, on Monday organised the 2026 Smart Girl Initiative to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, bringing together 500 girls from 20 schools across Benue State for education, advocacy and empowerment.
In her welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, represented by the Board Secretary, Dr. Joseph Jande, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to ensuring that every girl is educated, safe, healthy and confident. She emphasised the importance of menstrual hygiene education, keeping girls in school and challenging harmful practices such as early marriage that truncate their education.
Dr. Adagba also highlighted interventions under Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration, including Project BRACE-UP, which has identified and enrolled 500 out-of-school children including girls, alongside the provision of 346 water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and 25 school boreholes to promote safer and healthier learning environments, particularly for adolescent girls.
She called on parents and guardians to keep their daughters in school and resist practices that deny them the opportunity to complete their education.
The programme also featured lectures by role models including the media personality Shidoo Tarkaa, Mrs. Mercy Toryue and Patience Oryina (Lady Pesh) on the effects of early marriage, menstrual hygiene and responsible social media usage. Participants received menstrual hygiene kits as well as cash prizes won from debates.
