The Junior Chambers International (JCI), Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEDPOFFA) chapter, has organised a programme, tagged, ‘Educate a girl-child,’ to sensitise young female students on the need for them to acquire sound education.
According to the president of the association, Ajibade Abimbola Oyindamola, the programme was designed to make positive impact on the lives of female students by encouraging them to get sound education, shun underage marriage and strive to beat their male counterparts in their chosen career.
“We decided to hold this sensitisation programme owing to our observation of the fact that many young female students in our communities consider themselves as second fiddle to the male gender and rush into marriage at an early age.
“We see this as a challenge that must be properly addressed in the society. Girl children must enjoy equal rights as their male counterparts,’’ she said.
The event, which was held at Offa Grammar School (OGS), had in attendance female students from different secondary schools in Offa, Kwara State.
One of the facilitators, Mrs Oluwaseyifunmi Adebisi, spoke with the students on a lecture she titled, ‘Be All You Can Be,’ while Mrs Kemi Adisa had an interactive session with the students, which she tagged, ‘I am a Lady.’
Adebisi advised the young students to take their studies serious and never to feel inferior to their male counterparts, stressing that they have all it takes to be whoever they want to be in life.
The principal of OGS, Mr Ibiyeye Wahab, commended the JCI for putting up the programme, just as he urged them to make it a yearly event.
Guests who also graced the occasion included Chief Mogbojunbola Adebiyi, the Iyalaje of Offa, and Honourable Bisi Ogunwale, chapter president, Lagos Royale of the JCI.