The Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School Old Girls Association Lagos Chapter commemorated International Women’s Day with a sports and wellness programme held on March 7 at the National Stadium Complex Lagos.
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The event brought together members of the association for a day of physical activities and interaction, featuring aerobics sessions, a novelty football match, various recreational games, and health talks aimed at promoting fitness and healthy living.
Speaking with Sports247 during the event, the chapter president, Ndorofem Udoh, explained that the programme forms part of the association’s annual calendar of activities tied to the global celebration of women.
According to Udoh, March remains a significant period for the association as it provides an opportunity for members to celebrate womanhood, reconnect and support one another.
“We come out with a whole calendar of events for the year, and we always target March because it is International Women’s Day where women are being celebrated,” she said. “As an all-girls school, our motto is ‘Not for school but for life’. So occasions like this allow us to celebrate ourselves, unwind, learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Udoh noted that the association aligns its activities with the yearly theme of the global celebration, and this year’s theme encouraged members to demonstrate support for one another through acts of generosity.
“We encouraged members to bring items they are not using at home so that others can benefit from them. It is not necessarily because someone does not have, but it is about sharing and strengthening the bond among us,” she added.
Beyond the gathering of alumni, the association has begun expanding its programmes to include initiatives targeted at young people, particularly the girl child.
Udoh revealed that the group recently organised a webinar focused on women and girls in technology, where both a practising engineer and a female engineering student shared experiences and insights on pursuing careers in the field.
“We are gradually moving beyond just the old girls. We want to support the girl child by exposing them to opportunities and guiding them on career paths such as engineering and technology,” she said.
She further noted that the association also plans to incorporate programmes that address both girls and boys, emphasising the need for balanced societal development.
“The girl child will live in a society with the boy child, so while we are supporting girls, we must also pay attention to the boys. Many of us are mothers of both boys and girls, and we want to pass on the values we received from our parents to the next generation.”
Highlighting the inclusion of sports and fitness activities in the celebration, Udoh explained that the initiative was designed to encourage healthier lifestyles among members.
“A lot of us attend programmes but we don’t always prioritise our health. By introducing sports and exercise, we are encouraging members to make fitness part of their daily routine,” she said.
She added that activities such as aerobics and dancing are deliberately incorporated into gatherings as simple but effective forms of exercise.
“We also had a nutritionist speak to us about healthy eating and lifestyle choices. It is about empowering women to take care of their health while also preparing the next generation,” she said.
Delivering a message to Nigerian women, Udoh called for stronger female participation in leadership and decision-making spaces.
“If a woman moves, the country moves,” she said. “Women in positions of authority should support and bring other women to the table. When you walk into boardrooms and see only one woman among many men, that woman should ensure more women are given opportunities.”
She also urged women to remain actively involved in raising their children and instilling strong values within the home.
“The upbringing of a child is the responsibility of both parents. If we pay closer attention to our children, many of the issues we see in society today can be reduced,” she added.
Udoh concluded by encouraging women to continue striving for integrity and positive leadership in every sphere of life while contributing to national development.
