Help give the Girl-Child role models
Her death has left a void in Nigeria’s media and advocacy space. Beyond her role as a rising Journalist, she lived a life of passion, courage, and service. Her reporting often emphasised legal issues, gender rights, and the plight of marginalised groups. As part of her coverage, she took part in reporting on the submission of a memorandum for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill in September 2025 underscoring her commitment to stronger female representation.
Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old news anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News Channel, was tragically killed during an armed robbery at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, on September 29, 2025. She attempted to escape by jumping from the third floor and sustained severe injuries, which led to her death. Somtochukwu was a role model gone too soon, the role model waiting to see the girl children explore. Born on 26 December 1995, Somtochukwu combined legal training and broadcast journalism. Before joining ARISE News, she held roles such as legal executive at the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI) and junior counsel at a private firm. She had dreams, dreams that one day the oppressed, the less privileged, the marginalised will be heard. The Nigerian girl child never got to see the wealth of experience Sommie had to share because she was cut down in her prime by some undesirable elements.
Osinachi was a highly spirit-filled Nigerian Gospel musician, a minister of God, a songwriter with a great voice, and a Christian worship producer. Most of her songs were written in Igbo language. Her career reached its peak in 2017 with the release of the famous single “Ekwueme”. She had featured in songs like ” Nara Ekele” by Pastor Paul Enenche (Dunamis, Abuja), Ekwueme by Prospa Ochimana and “You no dey use me play” by Emma. Osinachi Nwachukwu’s (12 November 1979 – 8 April 2022) death was a result of domestic violence. Her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, was arrested in connection with her death, found guilty, and sentenced to death. On 28 April 2025, an FCT High Court in Abuja sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, her husband to death by hanging for her murder. He was found culpable of her death which occurred on April 8, 2022. Her cause of death was initially reported to be throat cancer before her family revealed that she had been a victim of domestic violence. Osinachi Nwachukwu’s life and death have had a profound impact on many lives. As a gospel singer, her music inspired countless people, bringing joy and hope to those who listened. However, her tragic death due to domestic violence has also raised awareness about the importance of addressing and preventing such abuse Osinachi Nwachukwu’s life and death have had a profound impact on many lives. As a gospel singer, her music inspired countless people, bringing joy and hope to those who listened. This is another sad story of gone too soon, another role model cut before her prime.
The story of Cynthia is a pathetic one. Her fault was to be an industrious young woman. Cynthia Osokogu, was a graduate of English Language at Nasarawa State University and was pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration in the same institution after resigning from a job with MTN. Cynthia was also a former model. She owned a boutique ‘Dress Code’ which she opened in Keffi, a town in Nasarawa State in 2007. She was described as hardworking, loving and industrious by her family. She had achieved much by age 24.
Cynthia developed some friendships via the social networking site Facebook after chatting with a newly added “friend,” Okwumi Echezona Nwabufor via her BlackBerry Messenger over the space of about four months and soon she had also “friended” his cousin, Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka. Even though she already had a relation in the United States who often sent her goods to sell in her retail business, they told her they were in the same business, that they were also retailers, and offered to sell her the items at cheaper prices. She believed them. These young men seemed normal and promised to host Cynthia when she came to Lagos. What Cynthia didn’t know was that Nwabufor had been stalking her for months, patiently gaining her confidence through frequent chats and postings. When she informed them she usually comes to buy goods in Lagos, they made arrangements for her visit while promising to help her get the goods at cheaper prices. The trip was organised by Echezona Nwabufor, one of the two new friends. On July 21, 2012, Cynthia flew to Lagos from Abuja to meet with these new “retailers” regarding the better price offer on the clothes and accessories for her fashion boutique. After landing, she called her mother to tell her that she had arrived safely.
The two young men picked Cynthia up from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and drove her to Cosmilla Hotel in Lakeview estate in Festac Town. At the hotel, they entertained her and offered her a Ribena-brand drink which was pre-drugged with Rohypnol), but discovered the drug did not take effect quickly enough on her. After that, they beat her and demanded she reveal where she kept her money. They presumed she would hold a lot of money, but she said she didn’t have any money to spare. When they didn’t get any money from her, they tied her up, robbed her of all the money she brought to shop for her business, her three blackberry phones, jewelries, international passport, a drivers’ licence, then they raped her and finally strangled her to death. Cynthia was also cut in her prime with experience untapped, the world did not get to see the stuff she was made of. The girl children who were to benefit from her wealth of experience, lost another role model.
Another promising young girl in Nigeria who lost her life under tragic circumstances is Opesusi Timilehin, a 19-year-old girl who committed suicide after becoming overwhelmed by her UTME score. She had ingested a poisonous substance and later received a provisional admission offer from JAMB to study microbiology, just 30 minutes after her death. People expressed their frustration with JAMB, blaming the examination board for widespread failure in the 2025 results. That was a role model in the making. Sadly, she didn’t live for the world to see what she had to offer.
The role of a girl child in the home, society and all aspects of life cannot be overemphasised. Role models play a vital role in shaping the lives of girl children, providing them with inspiration, guidance, and confidence. Role models show girls that they can achieve great things and pursue their dreams, regardless of societal expectations or limitations. Seeing women in leadership positions or excelling in various fields encourages girls to think bigger and reach higher. Role models help break down gender stereotypes and biases, demonstrating that girls can succeed in any profession or field, they promote inclusivity and equality, encouraging girls to pursue their interests and passions without limitations, provide girls with a sense of belonging and identity, helping them develop a positive self-image, teach girls valuable life skills, demonstrate leadership skills, inspiring girls to take charge and make a difference in their communities, encourage girls to speak up, express their opinions, and assert themselves in various situations.
The International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11, highlights the importance of promoting girls’ empowerment and rights worldwide. This day aims to address the unique challenges girls face, such as limited access to education, child marriage, and violence. Data shows that one in three girls experiences violence in their lifetime. By supporting girls’ empowerment, we can create a more just and equitable society where girls can thrive and reach their full potential. The Girl Child needs every role model she can get to make the weight and burden lighter, to encourage and light the path to success. There is a greater tomorrow for every girl child, let’s make it happen, save the girl child by giving her a role model.
