Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has urged teenage girls in the state to take their studies seriously rather than engaging in activities capable of endangering their lives.
Ikpeazu who stated this recently in a Special Teenage Girl Orientation programme with the theme “Teenage Girl: Gender Issues and Challenges”, held at Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, described the girl child as the most vulnerable species in the society.
He said the teenage girl Orientation programme initiated by the Office of the Governor’s wife in collaboration with Vicar Hope Foundation was a well thought out plan, with the aim to educate the girl child and to prepare them for the future task that befalls them as women.
While advising them to dissociate themselves from any antisocial activities with the opposite sex capable of ruining their future, the Governor urged them to take advantage of the lectures they will be thought in the programme by experienced mothers and educated women in the society adding that it would benefit and prepare them for the task ahead as potential mothers.
He further thanked the organizers of the event and expressed hope that the concept behind the Girl child education will yield the desired results.
Earlier, the Member Representing Aba North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and the Chairman on the Occasion, Dr.Mrs. Blessing Nwagba, had explained that the teenage girls are plagued with many societal anomalies ranging from rape, child trafficking, sexual harrassment, among others.
She charged mothers to rise to the challenge of educating their girl child at homes and added that the era of leaving them in the hands of house-helps, neighbours, teachers is gone.
Nwagba who is also the House Committee Chairman on Women Affairs, however, said the House of Assembly must help to pass bills that would support the initiative with the aim to protecting the girl child.
The event which was interactive featured series of lectures on Gender Issues and Challenges by some renowned teachers, and unveiling/launching of a book, “Healthy Living for Teenage Girls” co-authored by Governor Ikpeazu.
