…Trains Over 300 Girls on Sex Education
By Emeka Odogwu
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paul University, Awka, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna and Founder of Mother Susan Foundation/Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council Most Innovative Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 holder, Hon. Oliver Okennah among others have received plagues of honour from the St. Peter’s Parish Girl’s Guild, Umuji, Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The awards were bestowed on them during the 2024 Girl Child Conference with theme: “My Body, God’s Temple. 1 Cor. 6: 15-20. The event which took place Saturday 23rd November, 2024 was anchored by the Vicar’s wife, Nneora Ndudinachukwu Egwuagu even as Sex Education was among others that featured at the occasion.
In a short charge presented at the Girl Child Conference, Nneora Ndudinachukwu Egwuagu appreciated all her awardees, guests and speakers for doing justice to the topics to the glory of God and noted that she mobilized the Girl Child in and around Ebenebe community to educate them on their rights and privileges as girls, as well as give them genuine Sex Education to serve as enduring legacies than being deceived outside by wolves in Sheep’s clothing.
She appreciated God for the Diocese of Awka and Province of the Niger Chief Shepherd, His Grace Archbishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD and his beautiful wife, Nneoma, Mama Province, Dr Mrs. Martha Chioma Ibezim for their support for the success of the programme, even as she asked God to bless their ministry.
She also thanked God for the Archdeacon of Ofemili Archdeaconry and wife, Ven Goodness and Mrs Racheal Amaechi for their wonderful work in Ofemili Archdeaconry.
She concluded by appreciating in a special way, her husband and crown who shared the event’s vision with her and he became her pillar, making the event a success, praying God to continually bless him.
She thanked her facilitators whom God used to do mighty works in shaping the lives of the young girls, giving direction to them in life, how to be bold and stand firm in every situation, even as she thanked Prof Okunna, DVC Paul University, Awka, specifically for standing in the gap for women always.
Nneora Egwuagu lamented on increasing evil against the Girl child in the society that have made many to go astray, even as many indulge in many evil for money including sleeping with men, entering into Ezenwanyi ‘culture group, travelling abroad for prostitution, sex for grades and getting unwanted pregnancy, thus destroying destines and placing priorities wrong.
She said the speakers were drawn from professionals like Medical doctor, Matron/Chief Nurse, Accountant, Lecturer, Medical Lab Scientist, Business woman, Lawyer etc.
In her remarks, Prof Okunna, who inspired the girls with her story, warned against greed, and covetousness as most girls yield to evil sequel to lack of contentment. She asked them to work hard always as hardworking did not kill, rather than depending on any man for survival.
For his part, Hon Oliver Okenna, who was unavoidably absent, represented by the Vicar of St. Peters Parish, Umuji Ebenebe, Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma Egwuagu, encouraged women to champion a better society for the girl child.
The President, Mother Susan Foundation, Hon Oliver N. Okennah, in his speech after acknowledging the guests, said:
‘When I Founded Mother Susan foundation back in 2008, one of the very first things we did was to set up what we called a YEMS goal ( Young Education Matters) and I want to sincerely thank, Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma Egwuagu and St Peter’s Anglican Church, Umuji, Ebenebe, for paying careful attention to this important issue.
‘Mother Susan Foundation is also using this medium to call attention and awareness to the rights, challenges, and potentials of the girl-child in Ebenebe, Ofe Mmili, Awka North, and Anambra State.
‘By our collective action, the future of our girls is assured by empowering them with opportunities and supporting them educationally, physically, mentally, and otherwise. Their health and human rights, as well as economic empowerment and leadership opportunities should be a priority to ensure they develop to their full potentials.
‘Mother Susan Foundation will also partner with St Peter’s Anglican Church, Umuji, Ebenebe, to help our girls balance family responsibilities and schoolwork, the activities, and the goals that we had for ourselves. And let us remember that our parents and community fully expect us to do both and achieve our dreams and be there for our family. And we all know that good education is the ultimate key to our success.
I advise you to dedicate yourselves to your education, flee from all temptations, shun all kinds of immoralities and abstain from illicit sex as it leads to early marriage and destabilizes one’s career.
‘Finally, I want to charge all of you smart and powerful girls to remain focused and determined, for, surely, your tomorrow is assured.’
Participants at the Girl Child Conference and some students of Anerobi International College, Amansea, Afamefuna Oluebube Rejoice, who is the Senior Prefect, and Nwafor Ifunanya Jessica, the Sanitary Prefect, told www.odogwublog.com that the facilitators were good in Sex Education, hygiene and health matters, as it concerns women and the girl child.
They said the training impacted much on them and thanked the organizers for being selfless against the selfishness in society.
Also, Chikwelu Precious Chinemelum, a member of Girls’ Guild, Church of the Pentecost, Awka, described the training as awesome, noting that the speakers impacted on them how important the Girl Child was in society. She said she was inspired by the story of Dr Mrs Ethel Odinachukwu Orji, nee Ade-Wisdom and, Dr Mrs Charity Okafor. She said she planned to be a renowned medical doctor in future.
The Vicar, St. Peter’s Parish, Umuji, Ebenebe, Reverend Emmanuel Egwuagu, had earlier conducted a brief worship and praise church service with a warning to parents to insist on the best for their girl child by protecting them from all snares against them in society.
