To commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl-child in Akwa Ibom State, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor/Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, Friday, 11th October, 2024 visited Itak People’s High School, Ikono Local Government Area, where she celebrated with and presented gifts to the female students of the school.
Mrs. Obareki who said she was delighted to spend her day with the female students on a day globally observed as the International Day of the Girl-child, advised that they must studiously prepare for their future. While paying tribute to her mother, she emphasized that the legacies and remarkable contributions her mother made to ensure the well-being of families through her role as First Lady and her pet project, the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) is worthy of emulation.
“This day last year, I had accompanied my mother, the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Patience Umo Eno on an unscheduled visit to a public secondary school in the outskirts of Uyo.
I can still remember the infectious excitement of the girls as the wife of their Golden Governor arrived in the company of some female stakeholders, who took turns to motivate and inspire the girls to evolve into the best version of themselves”, she stated.
Reflecting on the theme of the Day, “Girls’ vision for the future”, the Coordinator noted that as a Girl Child, she has decided to celebrate the power and potential of girls despite the challenges they face and as well appealed to parents and community leaders to promote the holistic empowerment of their treasured diamonds through formal and skilled education.
“When we empower, educate and support girls in their pursuit of quality education and soft skills, we are nurturing them to evolve into intentional ladies of character, poise and confidence in communities where everyone is interested in their growth and wellbeing,” Mrs. Obareki stated.
In her opening remarks, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Engr. Otobong Essien, declared her commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of the Girl child by employing an intentional approach to governance, where women have equal opportunities with their male counterparts.
In her remarks, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebiet while thanking the Coordinator of the First Lady Office for locating the school to celebrate the Girlchild Day, also specially appreciated the immediate past administration for taking over the school.
She advised the students to take care of their hygiene and mental health, take their academic pursuits seriously and believe in God for a better future.
Setting the tone for the event, Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties and a member of the GIFA team, Mrs. Anne Abraham, encouraged the girls to “plant the seeds of today to reap the rewards of tomorrow”. She urged them to respect their bodies and avoid any immoral actions that could jeopardize their chances of achieving their aspirations in life.
Giving a talk on menstrual hygiene, the Public Relations Officer of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Rhoda Peter said menstruation is a thing of pride and a pathway to adulthood. She encouraged the girls to care for themselves, be intentional about their bodies and well-being as well as practice proper personal menstrual hygiene and disposal.
In his welcome address, the Principal Mr Samuel Etuk expressed gratitude to the Office of the First Lady for choosing Itak People’s High School in Ikono as the venue for the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, emphasizing the promise of a brighter future for girls.
He thanked the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for his commitment to investing in education, recognizing it as a vital foundation for securing a successful future for girls and pledged support for the Governor’s vision through the Arise Agenda, encouraging the students to take meaningful steps to a future filled with uncertainty, taking meaningful steps in the right direction to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, Chairman of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Commission, Barr. Goddy Umoh, former Member, representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Engr Iboro Ekanem, Wife of Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rosemary Umoh and former Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Hon. Itoro Columba and Mrs Grace Jimbo, a representative of ECEWS encouraged the girls to look beyond the stereotypes associated with being a girl child but to remain focused and determined in other to achieve their dreams.
They assured that with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, the future of the Akwa Ibom girl child is guaranteed as they are given equal rights and access to education and health that would propel them to break the jinx and take the lead in all spheres of life.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Madara Otu Boniface, thanked the Governor’s wife for choosing her school for the 2024 commemoration of the Day of the Girl Child and prayed to God to bless the wife of the Governor and her family.
The high point of the visit was the donation by Mrs Helen Obareki on behalf of GIFA in support of the setting up of a Biology laboratory for the school in addition to personal care kits and other gifts.
Accompanying the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady during the visit were the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, Mr. Onoriode Obareki, Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Inemesit Uwah, Chairman of State Secondary Education Board, Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, Wife of the immediate past Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Dr. Otobong Okoibu, members of the First Family, Governor’s Aides as well as teachers and students who went home inspired to and motivated to write down their visions for the future and work towards realizing them.
