Startup Business Foundation Officially Launches ‘Arise HER’ (Holistic Education & Rising) Girl-Child Project in Imo State.

Startup Business Foundation Officially Launches ‘Arise HER’ (Holistic Education & Rising) Girl-Child Project in Imo State.

A non-governmental organisation, Startup Business Foundation, has officially launched its girl-child education and empowerment project, “Arise Her,” in Imo State.

 

The launch took place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Dussel Hotel, MCC/Uratta Road, Owerri, bringing together traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, government agencies and institutions, educators, parents, civil society organisations and young girls from participating schools.

 

Speaking during the event, the Programme Director, Mr. Okenwa Arthur Richard, explained that Arise HER carries both a meaning and a movement, describing it as an initiative created to provide young girls with opportunities to discover and showcase their potential while receiving the necessary support to overcome the circumstances surrounding their individual stories.

 

According to him, the project is for everyone and requires collective responsibility to ensure that the girl-child is properly nurtured and equipped to become useful to herself, her family and society at large.

 

In her keynote address, the Founder of Virgin Heart Foundation, Peace Dike, spoke on “Unlocking Educational Pathways and Strengthening Support Systems for Vulnerable Adolescent Girls in Our Communities.”

 

She encouraged the young girls to hold firmly to their dreams and challenged parents to pay closer attention to their adolescent daughters, listen to them and provide the support they need during their formative years.

 

Dike also called on community leaders, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to take an active role in protecting the girl-child. She advocated stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities to build effective support systems for vulnerable girls.

 

A major highlight of the event was the induction, certification and formal acceptance of the participating young girls into the 2026 cohort of the Arise HER Project by the Commissioner Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education, Imo State, heavily represented by Mrs. Ngozi Ogbuaja- Director, planning, research and statistics.

 

She emphasizes the support of His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Imo State Sen. Hope Uzodinma through the Ministry of Education Imo State and commitment in ensuring that the education of a girl-child is given the full support and attention through the Arise HER Project of the Startup Business Foundation.

 

In his remark, the Founder, Mr. Chibueze Nnamdi, expressed appreciation to everyone who attended the launch, particularly the traditional rulers, priests, security operatives, government agencies and educators, policy makers, researchers, principals, representatives of the 20 participating schools, teachers and parents who supported the initiative.

 

He said Arise HER would help young girls develop the confidence to stand out, speak up in the face of challenges and recognise danger when confronted with it.

He expressed optimism that the newly established project in Imo State would grow and achieve greater heights, stressing that the initiative was founded with genuine intentions to positively transform the lives of young girls.

He encouraged the participants to remain focused, take the program seriously and take advantage of the opportunities provided through the project.

 

He assured them that they would receive all-round knowledge and training in various skills aimed at making them better versions of themselves.

 

He further informed the girls that by virtue of their induction, they had automatically become alumni of the Arise HER Project, assuring them of continued connection with the initiative.

 

Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Education, Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Codeant Technology Hub among others.

 

The speakers expressed delight over the launch and encouraged the young girls to conduct themselves in ways worthy of emulation, while making the most of the opportunities presented to them through the project.

 

Speaking on the project, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Kelvin Onuoha, described the launch as only the beginning of greater things to come for Arise HER.

 

He expressed appreciation to everyone who believed in the vision and took the time to attend the launch, stressing that the project was committed to creating a brighter future for the girl-child.

 

The launch ended on a hopeful note, with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the education, protection, empowerment and development of the girl child in Imo State.

About The Author