News
‘Pad Me A Girl Initiative’ Commemorates 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day with Outreaches in Ogun, Abuja
As part of its activities to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” a flagship project of GATMASH MEDIA on Wednesday, had remarkable dual outreaches at Isolog College, Akute, Ogun State, and Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Durumi, Abuja.
With the theme: “Overcoming the Challenges in 2030”, it advocated for menstrual dignity, fight period poverty, and empower young girls through knowledge and free essential supplies.
This year’s commemoration went beyond symbolic gestures; it tackled core menstrual health issues in communities often left out of conversations—especially schoolgirls and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
At Area 1 IDP Camp, Durumi, Abuja began with an emotional and impactful outreach where dozens of displaced young girls and women gathered for a life-changing experience.
“Pad Me A Girl Initiative” brought not just supplies, but compassion. Team members led a lively and informative session on menstrual hygiene management, snd taught the girls how to stay clean, safe, and confident during their periods.
The outreach emphasized hygiene practices, myth-busting, and emotional support for girls who have endured hardship in displacement.
Items shared to the girls included Free sanitary pads; Comprehensive menstrual hygiene guide; Exercise books and pens and One-on-one counseling and Q&A.
Expressing her satisfaction with the programme, one of the beneficiaries and a resident of the camp, a 14-year-old Zainab Bature said, “This is the first time someone talked to me about my period in a kind way. I now understand that it is normal, not a curse.”
At the Isolog College, Akute, where a spirited and inspiring event was held in collaboration with the school’s leadership, gave an excellent opportunity to have frank conversations with the students.
In her keynote address, the Convener of “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” and Chief Executive Officer, Gatmash Media, Theresa Moses, said that Menstrual Hygiene Day is not just a date, but a call to action.
She noted, “A girl should not miss school, sports, or success because of her period. This initiative is about restoring what was taken from so many girls: dignity.”
Theresa Moses, a media entrepreneur and gender advocate explained the mission and achievement of the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” to include distribution of over 2,000 reusable and disposable sanitary pads in underserved communities.
Also, it has established a “Pad Bank” to serve girls and women in need in IDP camps, rural schools, and marketplaces.
The convener reiterated that, “We are committed to making menstrual hygiene a basic right, not a luxury. Through the Pad Bank, we want to ensure that no girl or woman will ever choose between a meal and getting a pad again.”
Moses emphasized that menstrual hygiene is not just about physical health, but about confidence, inclusion, and gender equality.
In the Interactive Session with Mrs. Amina Omoike, the Guest Speaker and a Media Expert and Life Coach, who rendered a touching and relatable talk, drew inferences from her own journey as a woman and mother.
“When I had my first period, I thought something was wrong with me. No one told me it was natural. Today, I tell you—it is not just natural, it is powerful, she recounted.
In her analysis covering key hygiene practices, she explained the necessity of changing pads every 4–6 hours; Washing hands before and after changing it; Avoiding perfumed soaps and antiseptics in intimate areas; and Choosing breathable fabrics.
Importantly, Mrs Amina Omoike stressed the need for young girls to ask questions, speak up, and be their sister’s keeper.
“You are not alone. If you are confused, talk to your teacher, your mother, or your friend. Shame dies when we speak.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Vice Principal, Isolog College, Mrs. Ihomuehe Egumah, said “this is not just a programme, it’s a legacy moment. Today we give our girls what many of us never had: knowledge, support, and dignity.
“We thank the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” for choosing our school and sowing these seeds of confidence.”
While encouraging the students to be proud of their identity as girls, added that they should not allow shame or stigma to define their experience with menstruation.
During the event, there were sundry Goodwill messages from partners. Among whom were Mr. Lawal Abiodun Adeyemi, BL Consulting, “This initiative is the kind of action our country needs. It doesn’t just provide materials; it builds a movement. Pad Me A Girl is changing lives, one girl at a time.”
To Mr. Paul Maduakor, CEO, ProStar Sports International said, “I see champions in this room. Girls who will go on to become leaders, athletes, doctors, and innovators. Periods do not define you—your dreams do.”
To bridge the gap in access to hygiene materials, Pad Me A Girl Initiative distributed essential materials which included: Sanitary pads; Pens and exercise books; Menstrual hygiene booklets and Referral and access information for the Pad Bank.
“This did not only equip the girls physically, but also gave them long-term tools to manage their health and studies with confidence. We are not just giving out pads—we are rewriting the story of what it means to be a girl in Nigeria,” Theresa Moses, Convener, “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” reiterated.
The twin outreach programmes reached out to over 500 girls and young women at both locations, leaving behind not only supplies but new narratives of empowerment.
“Pad Me A Girl Initiative” is a menstrual health campaign by GATMASH MEDIA, committed to ending period poverty and advancing menstrual equity through: Advocacy; Education; Sanitary product distribution and Sustainable Pad Bank networks.
With a reach of over 2,500 girls and ongoing programmes across Nigeria, the initiative is one of the nation’s most impactful menstrual hygiene campaigns.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
One of the most unpredictable entitles in life is time. Yes, time is very unpredictable if considering its true essence.
Did you know that time heals? No matter what may have happened during one’s lifetime, the pain, no matter how great, will fizzle out with time, and life will move on. However, one’s strength and capacity for endurance will also be tested. Have you ever lost a loved one and think you will cry forever? Well, a time will come when you will completely adjust, and only miss the person when certain realities set in.
Has anyone offended you, and you think you can’t forgive? Well, if the principle of time heals and reveals, are applied, it will get to a stage, where they would automatically heal, and move on, especially in matters of the heart and relationship.
Have you also ever been betrayed? If yes, just give it little time because at the appointed time, the truth will be unraveled because time will definitely reveal itself. According to a sage, no matter how long it may take, the truth will always triumph over lie because truth is an open wound which only conscience can heal.
Why am I saying this? I have come to realize that in the journey of life, nothing lasts forever. While some people feel they have it together, they fail to understand that what they have is temporary because even their life is not guaranteed. According to Dr. Dele Momodu, an accomplished journalist, “the child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow if properly educated”.
Life has a way of humbling and elevating people, that’s why it’s always good for one to be humble before life humbles them. I once had a conversation with one of my revered mentors whom I call the sage. He shared a lesson which I won’t forget in a jiffy. We attended a burial ceremony, and I observed that the family members of the deceased were mourning bitterly. He said, “Henry, do you know why the family members are weeping profusely? I said it’s because they lost a loved one who might be the breadwinner of the family, the peacemaker or even the most resourceful person with the touch of favor and grace to get anything done.
He said, all my reasons were valid, but one thing is certain, the person won’t be replaced again because there’s no one like him and there will never be anyone like him. He went further to say, the only solace the family and friends will have is the legacy and impact he has made in the lives of those he touched.
I paused for a minute to think about what he had just said, and it was only then that it occurred to me that a vacuum had been created. While I was pondering over what he said, he dropped another bomb. He said, ‘Henry, did you see that man lying lifeless on the ground?’ I said, ‘yes sir’. He said, ‘do you know what that means?’ I said no. He said, the dead man is saying, ‘I am here today and you will be here tomorrow’. In all honesty and sincerity, those words hit me real hard. My mentor went on to say, what the dead man is actually saying is that as you leave this place today, go and make peace with everyone, but more importantly make an impact in the lives of people.
While I was still processing what my mentor said, he added, let me tell you while I invited you to attend this burial. He said, everyone who attended this funeral will move on after the burial ceremony, and what will be left of the deceased is a memory. You see, regardless of the ovation he accrued when he was alive, everything will be history. That statement really hit me hard, and that’s so true because life will always move on regardless of what happens, so it makes no sense for one to try to impress someone. Just do the best you can and then move on. The moral here is that nobody is indispensable no matter how good they are.
When we juxtapose this with the reality of life, we’ll realize that life is very simple, it’s us humans that make it difficult. Did you know that no matter how rich, valuable, resourceful, wealthy or famous one is, when the person is no longer available, they might not really be missed that much, because people will move on to the next person within a short period of time.
Let’s take a case study of a celebrity, who shares an update online. The post might trend for sometime and after a while the ovation will cease, and people will move to the next breaking news or update. The same is applicable to a tweet or post someone makes on social media. The post might gain some traction, but after a few hours or days, the story will be over. People will move on to the next post. Such is life.
The hidden truth about life is that life will move regardless of how one plans it. People will move on, companies will move on, parents, friends, siblings, and even detractors will move on to the next target. So, it makes no sense for one to try to please everyone.
According to Elbert Hubbard, “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” This literally means human beings are insatiable by nature; you can’t please them.
So, as one journeys through life, it’s always important for one to figure out what’s relevant and what’s not relevant and then decide what is the best use for your time at any point in time.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has assured Nigerians that the era of nationwide fuel queues has come to an end.
He, therefore, pledged uninterrupted petrol supply during yuletide period and beyond.
Addressing newsmen on Friday after a close-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Dangote stressed:
“Historically, Nigeria has battled fuel queues since 1972. For the first time, we are eliminating those queues, not through imports but by producing locally. Even when we were servicing the refinery, there were no queues. I can assure you that queues are now history”.
He disclosed that Dangote Refinery has formally notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of its readiness to deliver 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily, far above national consumption.
Dangote stated that the refinery will soon produce surplus volumes, adding that by February it will supply 15–20 million litres more than Nigeria needs.
This, he said, will allow exports to neighbouring countries, reducing the incidence of fuel scarcity across West Africa.
He also disclosed that domestic manufacturers, especially in the plastics industry, will now enjoy reliable access to locally produced feedstock, ending years of reliance on imports estimated at $400 million annually.
On way forward, Dangote announced an expansion programme that will raise the refinery capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, surpassing India’s Reliance refinery, the world’s largest, at 1.25 million barrels per day.
His words: “But going forward, what do we really want to do? What we are going to do by 2028 we are going to take this refinery to the largest refinery in the world we’re going to beat reliance. Reliance is 1.25 million barrels per day, we will be at 1.4 million barrels per day. We have already launched that we have signed, and we’re going to start piling for the refinery by January, before January ending, and it will be delivered on time.”
The renowned industrialist also revealed plans to scale up the company’s urea production to 12 million tonnes annually, positioning Nigeria to overtake Russia and Qatar as the world’s leading producer.
“Our goal is to use our fertilizer company to supply the entire African continent,” he said.
Commenting on recent declines in petrol and diesel prices, Dangote attributed the trend to increased competition and a reduction in smuggling.
“Prices are going down because we must compete with imports. Luckily, smuggling has dropped significantly, though not completely”.
He stressed that the refinery business is a long-term national investment, saying “we’re not here to recover $20 billion overnight. The legacy I want to leave is that whatever Nigerians need, fuel, fertilizer, power, we will be part of delivering it.”
Dangote further highlighted logistics constraints affecting Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, particularly the congestion of major ports.
“Apapa is full. Tin Can is full. Lekki is mainly for containers. You cannot export coal or copper if you have nowhere to ship from,” he noted.
To address this, he said the Group is developing what would become West Africa’s largest deep-sea port at Olokola, expected to be completed in two-and-a-half years.
He expressed support for the Tinubu administration’s naira-for-crude initiative, describing it as a patriotic move to strengthen the economy, although he acknowledged pushback from international oil companies.
“It’s a teething problem, but it will be resolved, either through legislation or administrative action,” he said.
On concerns about global competition, Dangote maintained that the refinery will thrive.
“What we want is to make Nigeria the refining hub of Africa. All African countries import fuel. We want what we consume to be produced here”.
He also endorsed the government’s Nigeria-first industrial policy and urged wealthy Nigerians to channel resources into productive investment rather than luxury spending.
“If you have money for a private jet, invest in industries and create jobs,” he said, adding that domestic investors must drive industrialization to attract foreign capital.
Dangote acknowledged past hurdles, policy instability, smuggling, and factory closures, but expressed optimism that the country is now on a stable path toward sustainable industrial growth.
“Domestic investors must lead the way. Once they do, foreign investors will follow. Nobody advertises a good restaurant; when the food is good, word spreads,” he said.
He described his meeting with President Tinubu as a routine consultation on the economy and business environment, noting that it was “a very fruitful meeting.”
AriseNews
Nigerian Afrobeat music singer, David Adeleke aka Davido, has commented on his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, after he resigned from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), posting “Jeje…” on his X page.
Adeleke, who represented Osun West as Senator and currently serves as the governor of the State, announced his resignation in a letter dated November 4, 2025, citing the party’s national leadership crisis.
The letter titled ‘Resignation of my membership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)’ read: “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party with immediate effect.”
He expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him by the PDP.
“I thank the Peoples’ Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” he added.
The resignation has sparked reactions, with Davido’s post sparking speculation about the implications for the party.
