The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Saturday hosted a dinner at her residence to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, urging young women to embrace purpose, courage and leadership.
The event, held on October 12, brought together young women aged between 25 and 30 for an evening of mentorship, storytelling and empowerment.
Sharing her life story, Senator Natasha recalled her humble beginnings as a street hawker in Ihima Market and Lokoja, noting that perseverance and vision were vital to her journey.
“I remember when I was hawking in the streets of Ihima Market and Lokoja. I never gave up because I understood that true success requires starting from somewhere.
“I’m happy that the struggles yielded positive outcomes despite all challenges,”she said.
Among the special guests was Mrs Yakubu Oyiza Hope, an anti-trafficking advocate who has rescued more than 10,000 Nigerian women from captivity in Libya.
Oyiza described the day as a reminder of women’s hidden strength, saying,
“I never knew I could overcome the process of rescuing girls held in captivity in Libya. Taking such a bold step despite the risks shows that there is a hidden strength in every woman.”
In her closing remarks, Senator Natasha urged young women to find a cause worth fighting for and to use their voices to drive social change.
She stressed that a woman’s strength is defined not by appearance but by character, content and courage.
“Every girl child must see herself as an agent of change and take an active interest in politics and leadership,” she said.
