…Governor’s wife cautions school girls against premarital relationships, drug abuse and alcohol consumption
In continuation of its advocacy/sensitization campaign for teenage girls in secondary schools across the state, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative (FEYReP), today Tuesday, visited Adiaha Obong Girls Secondary School, Ikot Imo, in Nsit Ubium LGA.
Leading the team of FEYReP officials to the school was the wife of the State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel who was also accompanied by the wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Itohowo Bassey ,the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet and her Women Affairs counterpart, Dr. Ini Adiakpan.
The campaign tagged: “Girls Uphold Your Dignity”, did not only afford the young school girls the opportunity to learn and hear first-hand from the governor’s wife, but they were also given educational materials and sanitary pads all courtesy of FEYReP.
In her remarks at the school, Dr. Emmanuel, interacting with the girls, admonished them against indulging in sexual escapades early in life which according to her is capable of truncating their bright future.
She presented the 4-gown template for the girls to follow saying, they must first wear matriculation gown, graduation gown, and wedding gown before wearing a maternity gown.
The First Lady added that at this formative stage of their lives, abstinence remains the only option, instructing that “sex was ordained by God for mature people in marriage.”
She cautioned the students against engaging in unruly behavior such as drug abuse and alcohol consumption, saying as young girls they were expected to subdue every inordinate feeling whenever it arises.
While advising the female students to be cautious of sexual predators in their respective areas and report to authorities in case of any abuse, the governor’s wife encouraged them to study hard and be focused in life, as these were the prerequisite for a successful life.
Earlier, the coordinator of FEYReP, Mrs. Ime Ephraim Inyang while addressing the students, said the campaign is shifting the paradigm by advocating for complete abstinence from premarital sex and instilling the moral rectitude in the future mothers of the state.
Inyang reiterated the need for the girl-child to uphold her dignity, stating it was pertinent they concentrate on their studies.
Welcoming the governor’s wife to his domain, the Chairman of Council, Architect Iniobong Orok, said it was so heartwarming to see the passion and zeal of the governor’s wife in building the next generation of women with right family ethos.
He promised to partner FEYReP in ensuring that the message is relayed across all schools in the area.
There were goodwill messages from the wife of the Speaker of AKHA, Mrs. Itohowo Bassey, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan and Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet of the Ministry of Education, who all advised the school girls on hygiene, academic pursuits and the right path to becoming successful in life.
Resource person, Mrs. Aniebiet Akpan, who spoke on the topic “The girl-child and personal hygiene”, advised the female students to ensure a healthy living by keeping their body and surroundings clean and as well avoid friends with negative influence.
In a vote of thanks, the principal of the school, Mrs. Agnes Nsudo in a vote of thanks, appreciated the governor’s wife for visiting the school out of the many schools in the area, saying they were so honoured to have her in their presence.
She saluted the interest of the First Lady in raising the girl-child in the right way and stated that her coming to the school will motivate the students to maintain a high moral standard.