Enugu state Wednesday, October 11, joined other states across the country to celebrate the 2023 International Day of the Girl -Child with a call on Stakeholders to promote policies and programmes that will improve the development of the girl-child, especially in the area of education.
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Zoom
At a colourful event held at Amadeo event centre,Enugu, the wife of the state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, in a speech delivered via zoom, assured that Enugu state government, as well as her office, will support policies and programmes that will enhance the development’ of the girl-child.
She acknowledged that empowering the girl-child is empowering the society, noting that girls are not only the leaders of tomorrow but producers of leaders of tomorrow . The Governor’s wife therefore called on stakeholders to invest in girl children by creating enabling environment for them to rrealise their potentials and thrive.
The first lady described the Theme,”Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership and Well Being”, as apt. noting that it is important to empower girls and invest in their future.
She said she was very prepared to take care of girls in the state.
The Governor’s wife promised that her office, the State Government, the ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, will fully support girls’ rights and leadership.”Let us try and create an environment where every girl will thrive and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive,” Mrs Mbah said
Photo, Commissioner Enih above
She advised girls to identify their potentials and strive to develop them in order to achieve their goals in life, saying, “It’s important to dream big, your passion can change, let us leave here with renewed hope. Try to give in your best”,she advised.,
Rep Gov’s wife, Sandra
The wife of the Governor who was represented by the Senior Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Ms Sandra Uche Mbah, promised to look into the Child’s Rights Act
Speaking, the Commissioner for Children and Gender Affairs, Hon (Mrs) Ngozi Enih said that the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
She advised girls to believe in themselves, be responsible, hard-working, read hard, be civil and obey the law.” Believe in yourself, never you doubt yourself, don’t get tired of reading, no knowledge is a waste “the Commissioner advised.
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Group photo
Enih said International Day of the Girl-Child was designed to remind girls the opportunity to lead by putting them in the forefront of change efforts; hearing their voices; responding to their asks; and welcoming them in decision-making spaces. She noted that it is one of the ways to invest in a future that believes in girls’ agency.
The Commissioner said adolescent girls have the right to safety educated, and healthy life, not only during the critical formative years, but also as they mature into womanhood.
Queens, Quiz winners
Representative of the Governor’s wife, Sandra Uche Mbah, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, assured that the Governor’s wife, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah will promote the development of the girl-child in the state, through her pet project, Nkechi Mbah Foundation
She said,” Her Excellency and the Governor are compassionate about the upbringing of the girl-child. The Governor has demonstrated that through declaration of free education from primary school(Basic) to junior secondary school .”
photo, Osisatech girls
DDLJ
SPA health, Dr Jaye
In a brief remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on health, Dr Yomi Jaye, described the girl-child as a mother
He said, girls are intelligent, gorgeous, responsible and leaders He encouraged them to be focused and believe in themselves
In her presentation on Cervical cancer, the Executive Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Mrs Ifeanyi commended the wife of the Governor for putting up the event She said cervical cancer is caused by infection, Human paupaloma virus and could be prevented by vaccine.
She announced that administration of the Cervical cancer vaccine will commence in the next 14 days and the targetted she group is 9-14 years.
Participants at the event were drawn from selected Girls secondary schools and Primary school in Enugu
Activities carried out included debate, quizz, poem recitation and games.
In debate, Girls secondary school,Abakpa Nike Enugu came first, OSISATECH Girls secondary school,Enugu ,took second position and Providence High School,Enugu took third position.
In Quiz competition, Queens school Enugu took the first position, Providence High School and Daughters of Divine Love Juniorate, Abakpa ẞ took the third position
SSA, Special Duties, Sandra
Prizes, namely tablets, two Big trophies, cash and medals were given to the winner
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world
Author Maureen Ikpeama