Maden Healthcare Foundation Hosts Empowered Adolescents Forum 2026 in Delta State

"As part of the outreach effort, educational posters on menstrual hygiene and hand hygiene were distributed to all participating schools. In addition, Maden Emergency Menstrual Hygiene Kits were shared with participants to support menstrual dignity and hygiene management." MHF 

Maden Healthcare Foundation, Delta State Chapter, successfully hosted the Maden Empowered Adolescents Forum 2026 in Sapele, Delta State, bringing together over 200 participants, including approximately 150 adolescents from secondary schools ande adolescent-focused organizations across Sapele and its environs.

The forum, themed “Building Confidence, Empathy and Healthy Futures,” was organized in commemoration of the International Day of the Boy Child and World Menstrual Hygiene Day and provided a safe and engaging platform for adolescents to discuss issues affecting their emotional well-being, confidence, menstrual health, peer relationships and healthy decision-making.

The event was organized in collaboration with:

* UN Women Sapele LGA GEWE Coordination Mechanism

* Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

* Youth O'Clock

* Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, Sapele Zone

* Rotary E-Club of One World D9141

* Sapele Baptist Association Women Missionary Union

* International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)

* Association Against Child Sexual and Gender Based Violence (AACSGBV)

Participating schools included:

* Okpe Grammar School

* Orodje Secondary School

* Chude Girls Model Secondary School

* Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School

* Gana Mixed Secondary School

* Urhiapele Mixed Secondary School

* Okotie Eboh Grammar School

* Ziks Grammar School

* Ethiope Mixed Secondary School

* SBA Secondary School

* Ebenezer Baptist Secondary School

* Eziafa Grammar School

* Rooted in Christ Academy

Adolescent faith-based organizations in attendance included:

* Girls Auxiliary (GA)

* Royal Ambassador Organisation (RA)

The programme featured interactive talks on emotional well-being, self-esteem, menstrual health and drug abuse prevention. Adolescents actively participated in discussions, games and open conversations focused on creating safe and supportive spaces for young people.

One of the major highlights of the forum was the adolescent voices segment, where young participants shared reflections on the challenges adolescents face and the kind of support they desire from adults, schools and communities.

Government officials present at the event included:

* Patience Edesiri - Director Post Primary Education Board (PPEB) Sapele LGA

* Ziregbe Onoriobarorakpo: Chief Inspector of Education, Ministry of Education. Sapele

Special appreciation was also extended to the Director of the Delta State Vocational Education Centre, Sapele, for generously providing the hall for the programme free of charge in support of adolescent development initiatives.

As part of the outreach effort, educational posters on menstrual hygiene and hand hygiene were distributed to all participating schools. In addition, Maden Emergency Menstrual Hygiene Kits were shared with participants to support menstrual dignity and hygiene management.

Every participant also received:

* a copy of the self-esteem book authored by the Founder of Maden Healthcare Foundation, Dr Ese Agbatutu,

* notebooks and pens donated by Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, Sapele Zone.

At the end of the programme, participants were encouraged to make personal pledges on how they would contribute to creating healthier, safer and more supportive environments for adolescents. The adolescents wrote commitments on issues such as self-confidence, kindness, respect, ending stigma, supporting peers, avoiding drug abuse and promoting menstrual dignity. These pledges were displayed publicly on specially created *Pledge Walls*, symbolizing a collective commitment towards positive behavioural change and adolescent empowerment.

Speaking during the event, organizers emphasized the importance of empowering adolescents with the knowledge, confidence and support systems needed to make healthy life choices and become responsible members of society.

The forum concluded with a collective call for continued collaboration among schools, parents, government institutions, faith-based groups and community organizations to ensure adolescents are supported, protected and empowered to thrive.