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Plan International Nigeria has officially unveiled Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, as its first Ambassador for
Girls in Nigeria.
This announcement marks a significant step forward in advancing children’s rights and promoting gender equality, with a special emphasis on empowering girls in the Niger Delta region.
Through this partnership, the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom will serve as Plan International’s
Ambassador for Girls in Nigeria, leveraging her influence and platform to advocate for girls’ rights, support key campaigns, and raise public awareness on critical issues affecting children and young women across Nigeria.
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to breaking the cycle
of poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination that many children, especially girls, face today.
As part of this collaboration, Plan International Nigeria and the Royal Iwere Foundation will launch the Royal Iwere Girls Hub Initiative, focusing initially on the Niger Delta. These hubs will serve as safe spaces where girls can come together, free from fear and discrimination to access education, develop leadership skills, and build confidence. Within these supportive environments, girls will have the opportunity to share experiences, receive mentoring, and participate in activities that nurture their personal growth and ambition.
Over time, the program will expand to other regions to maximise its impact.
“We believe in the power and potential of every Nigerian girl,” said Charles Usie, country
director of Plan International Nigeria. “Partnering with Her Majesty as Ambassador for Girls will further strengthen our commitment to advancing equality and creating meaningful opportunities for girls to thrive. Our mission centres on empowering girls to become leaders of change. By 2028, our goal is to reach 20 million Nigerian girls.”
Expressing her enthusiasm for the partnership, Atuwatse III, stated that “It is a profound honour to stand alongside Plan International Nigeria in advancing the cause of our nation’s young girls. I believe in a story where every girl has the power to choose her own path, a story where she decides if, when, and whom to marry; where education is not a privilege, but a right.
Through this partnership, we will create safe spaces for our girls to learn, to grow, and to thrive. Together, we will amplify their voices and open new doors of opportunity, ensuring that no girl is ever left behind.”
The Ambassador for Girls programme brings together respected, value-driven role models who voluntarily contribute their time, expertise, advocacy, and public presence to advance and champion girls’ rights in line with Plan International’s mission. Through purposeful advocacy and active public engagement, these ambassadors help reach wider audiences and, most importantly, empower girls to achieve their full potential.
