On May 25, the hall at Delight Multipurpose Hall in Abule Iroko filled with the sound of 400 students from local secondary schools, gathered for more than just another Youth Month program. It was a day to confront a challenge that keeps too many girls out of the classroom: menstrual poverty.
Organized by the Rotary Club of Alakuko in partnership with the Castle and Care Initiative and the Rotary Clubs of Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja Airport, Ikeja GRA, and Nigeria Globetrotters, the event marked World Menstrual Hygiene Day with education, conversation, and tangible support. His Royal Majesty Oba Arc Olusegun Ayinde Feyijimi Iroko, the Oniroko of Iroko Land, joined as Royal Father of the Day, lending royal endorsement to the cause.
Rotarian Dare Oyegbola, President of the Rotary Club of Alakuko, opened the gathering by setting the stakes in plain terms. Across Nigeria, he said, about 37 million women and girls face menstrual poverty, often relying on rags or leaves. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls miss school during their periods. “This is not just about hygiene,” he told the students. “It’s about dignity, and about keeping you in school.”
To address that gap, the partners distributed reusable sanitary pads; washable, sustainable alternatives designed to reduce both waste and financial barriers. Rotarian Yetunde Ogunyakin spoke to the heart of Rotary’s “PAD A GIRL” initiative, explaining how access to reliable menstrual products changes a girl’s daily reality and long-term opportunities.
Rotarian Tolulope Oduba, founder of the Castle and Care Initiative, followed with a commitment to continue educating girls on menstrual hygiene and providing hygienic alternatives that help them stay in class. The message was reinforced by Rotarian Enitan Sophie Oluwa, President of the Rotary Club of Nigeria Globetrotters, who presented books valued at over ₦5 million to the NAPPS Abule Iroko Chapter. She urged the schools to place the materials where they would be most used, so the donation would translate into stronger learning outcomes.
Oba Feyijimi described the day as both hygiene awareness and empowerment, and challenged the students and teachers to make full use of the resources provided. His words were echoed by representatives from NAPPS Abule Iroko Chapter and Miss Titilope Oni of The Goldbeam Schools, who thanked the organizers on behalf of the students. They noted that the reusable pads would allow female students to manage their periods with greater confidence, reducing absenteeism and distraction during school hours.
The event closed with a shared sense that small, practical interventions through education paired with sustainable materials can remove one of the quiet barriers holding girls back.
The Rotary Club of Alakuko and its partner clubs are part of Rotary International, a global network of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service. The Castle and Care Initiative is a non-profit organization focused on girls’ education, menstrual health, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
