Lagos State Police Command has called for greater investment in girls’ education, healthcare, safety and leadership opportunities, even as stakeholders highlight the need to protect girls from child marriage, abuse and other harmful practices.
The call was made during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child commemoration organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Lagos State, in partnership with Molped Sanitary Pad, at the POWA Secretariat, Oduduwa Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The event, held on October 21, brought together students from more than 60 public and private schools across Lagos State, alongside government representatives, education and health professionals, security personnel, corporate organisations and development partners.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Adesina Lawal, stressed the importance of ensuring that girls have access to education, healthcare, safety and the support needed to fulfil their potential.
The commemoration, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with the sub-theme “Empowered Girls, Brighter Future,” also featured a declaration by participating girls affirming their commitment to advancing girls’ rights and empowerment.
He said the Command would continue to strengthen partnerships and community-based advocacy to protect children from abuse, exploitation and other harmful practices.
Stakeholders at the event included the Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Adekemi Tijani, represented by Mrs Fakeye Olaide; the Command’s Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, DCP Anthony Placid; and the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem.
Others were the Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, Hon. Saliu Olawale Jimoh; Founder of the Empowering Sisters Welfare Foundation, Ambassador Dr Lauren Daji; Dr Akinlade Olatubosun of the Department of Psychiatry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital; and Lagos State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Apostle Kehinde Sowemimo.