Journalists Launch Advocacy Campaign on Girl-Child Day

…Celebrate 36 Akwa Ibom Girls

Priscilla Akpanettot

A team of Journalists have launched an advocacy campaign on personal/menstrual hygiene and breast/cervical cancer, to celebrate Akwa Ibom Girl-children on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl-Child.

The team comprising five young journalists visited EKMA Royal Schools, Off Nelson Mandela Road, Itam on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 with dozens of sanitary materials including face towels, sanitary pads, shaving stick and edibles for over 50 girls.

Speaking on the theme for this year’s Girl-Child Day celebration – “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Wellbeing”, the team leader, Comrade Priscilla Akpanettot described the Girl-Child as a specie endangered by stereotypical perceptions which could deter them from attaining leadership positions in a male-dominated society.

“We are Girl-children who have waded through some of these widely-held stereotypes to be what we are today; fierce, bold and undaunted. So we want you all to know what lies ahead of you and how you can surmount them”, she said.

She described investment in the Girl-Child as one of the best things to ever happen in recent times, citing high-ranking female figures such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Late Dora Akunyili, among others as examples.

She then encouraged the girls to dream big, stay committed and focused on their education, while maintaining positive attitudinal behaviours that would enhance their achievement of set objectives and support from the male folks.

Stirring them on the can-do spirit of the Girl-Child, Comrade Mary Ekere told the girls that they could be whatever they choose to be if they so wish. She described the road to success as one filled with several detours which would only be surmounted by hard work and determination. To further motivate the girls, she shared with them her success story in previous years and recalled her journey to her present societal status.

“You are what you say you are. If you see yourself a looser or a failure, every other person sees you as such. But if you say you’re a winner, the world celebrates you”, she maintained.    

At the occasion, Comrade Mercy Obot  spoke extensively on Breast/Cervical Cancer and taught the Girls how to self- examine their breasts. She also spoke on the need for Girls aged 9-14 Years to get vaccinated against Cervical Cancer on October 26th, 2023, saying it is free of charge at any Government Health Centre.

Comrade Ekemini Emem Akpan  spoke on Personal Hygiene, while Comrade AmadieUdoakpan Itohowo Godwin  drilled the Girls on self-defense against sexual harassment and attack.

In their separate responses on behalf of the Girls, the School’s Senior Prefect, Victory Ogbonna and another Senior Girl, Chosen Obeten expressed satisfaction at the knowledge imparted by the Journalists. They said the explanations given were detailed and practical, and would linger in their memories for a long while. The Senior Girl particularly said that her self-confidence has been boosted, while the Senior Prefect said the program has given them hope for a better future.

Earlier, the Vice Principal of EKMA Royal Schools, Mr. Ndarake Jonathan had welcomed the team and lauded them for choosing the School for the Campaign. He expressed delight at their initiative and declared himself a core advocate of the Girl-Child.

“I am one person who supports the education of the Girl-Child because I know what an enlightened woman can do, and I have female children. You people who have come to us are typical examples of an enlightened Girl-Child and the message you have brought today is practical. The Girls will see you as their role models and take you serious”, he said.

He prayed God’s unending blessings on them and called on his male counterparts to support and invest in the Girl-Child.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of bag packs to 36 of the Girls, in commemoration of Akwa Ibom’s 36 Anniversary.