▪solicits support of traditional rulers to end harmful widowhood practices
The Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has called for the stoppage of child-marriage, saying that it breeds a circle of poverty.
Speaking during a Special School Reach out Programme to mark the 2016 International Day for the Girl-Child at the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School at Elelenwo on Tuesday, Justice Nyesom-Wike said that there is no justification for child-marriage.
She said that child -marriage prevents the girl child from attaining her potentials. She urged all female children to work towards acquiring tertiary education as it will improve their living condition.
She said: “Education helps the girl child to avoid early marriage. When you attend tertiary school, you delay marriage. Child marriage breeds a circle of poverty which negatively affects society.
“When a girl eventually gets married after tertiary education, she will have a lot more maturity than when she was a child bride. Education broadens her horizon to be a better wife, better mother and better stakeholder in the society. Education further helps the equipped mother in raising the next generation “.
The Wife of the Rivers State Governor emphasised that the significance of the girl-child in the development of any society can never be under-estimated.
She advised upcoming girls to choose their role models amongst successful women, so that they can be motivated to aim higher.
Justice Nyesom-Wike also took out time to teach the girls of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School basic hygiene and the importance of looking presentable.
Principal of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo, Mrs Chinyere Ordu lauded the Wife of the Rivers State Governor for taking positive steps to promote the welfare of the girl-child.
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the occasion, encouraged the girl-child to remain committed to the development of the society.
The celebration was marked by presentations by other speakers such as Mrs Toru Ofili, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr Oraye St Franklyn, Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Social Media and Mr Larry People , Executive Director , Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency.
Also at the occasion, the students and guests were treated to drama and cultural display that promoted the girl-child.
Earlier, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike visited the Paramount Ruler of Elelenwo, Nyewali Sunny Chukwu where she called on traditional rulers to support the fight against harmful widowhood practices and early marriage .
She appealed to traditional rulers to support girl-child education as the nation would develop faster with well educated women.
The theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, on 11 October is “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement”
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor,
Electronic Media.
12th October, 2016.
Picture 1: Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike acknowledging cheers from Elelenwo women during her visit to the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Elelenwo as part of the celebration of the International Day of the Girl -Child on Tuesday.
Picture 2: Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and students of the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Grammar Secondary School as part of the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child on Tuesday at Elelenwo
Picture 3: Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and the Paramount Ruler of Elelenwo, Nyeweli Sunny Chukwuduring her visit to the Palace of the Paramount Ruler as part of the celebration of the International Day of the Girl -Child on Tuesday.
