Pen Girls Celebrate 50 on Boy-Child Day

 

Priscilla Akpanettot 

No fewer than 50 boys were on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 celebrated by The Pen Girls' Initiative in commemoration of the International Day of the Boy-Child.

The event which was staged at EKMA Royal School, Nwut Usiong Street, Off Nelson Mandela, had the Pen Girls talk to the boys about their welfare, hygiene and career, while stories of outstanding male personalities were shared with them.

Speaking at the event, Leader of The Pen Girls' Initiative, Comrade Priscilla Akpanettot stressed the need to celebrate the Boy-child, alongside their counterparts to strike a balance in the clamour for gender equality. 

She expressed that the call for equality implied fairplay to both boys and girls, adding that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. 

While acknowledging the unspoken concerns of the boy-child, Akpanettot stated that they were equally as vulnerable as the girl-child. 

“The Boy-child has also been an endangered specie from time immemorial. They are also vulnerable and are equally subjected to several forms of violence like the girl-child. And they are not immune from threats facing the girl-child. It’s just that they hardly let out their challenges”, she said.

She therefore encouraged the boys to learn to share their problems with, and seek advice from persons they can trust. This she said, would help ease their worries and lighten their burdens.

The multiple award-winning journalist and Secretary, Conference of Online Practitioners in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) further charged the boys to be of good positive attitude and refrain from vulgar acts and vices which would jeopardise their future. These attitudes she said, included: rebellion, theft, alcoholism, smoking, indulgence in unwholesome relationships and bad company, disobedience, stubbornness, amongst others.

Speaking on the implications of a care-free life, Comrade Mary Ekere read out the penalties awaiting them for defaulting the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (Act) Law. Among the laws were consequences for stalking, raping, incest, domestic violence, indecent exposure, among others. She impressed upon the minds of the boys the need to live a covert life in other to escape the wrath of the law.

Meanwhile, Comrade Amadie Udoakpan and Comrade Imaobong Umoekah addressed the young boys on good habits and stressed the imperatives of proper personal hygiene. They also shared tips on how the boys could grow a good self-esteem through their physical appearance.

The School's Principal, Mr. Anietie Udoh

Earlier, the Principal of the School, Mr. Anietie Udo warmly received the Pen Girls and appreciated their interest in the boys. He told the boys that the essence of the day was to create in them the awareness that they were born with distinct roles to play in their families, society and generation. As such, he advised that they live up to their calling and be good ambassadors of their time.

The event featured the reading of stories of select leaders in Nigeria, among whom were Gani Fawehinmi, a human rights activist; former President Goodluck Jonathan and Pst, Sylvanus Ukafia, founder, Insight Bible Church. 

The boys also went home with a gift text titled “The Clock” and “Obinna the Honest Boy”.

The Pen Girls' Initiative is a group of like-minded young female Journalists who are desirous of impacting the society in their little way.