Young Girls of the Mbaukwu community in their numbers on Monday participated in a sensitisation and mentoring class organised by Honourable Justice Nkem Izuako’s run non-governmental Organisation, Africa Centre for Ethical standards( ACES).
ACES, an Organisation out to promote Ethical values has over time organizied various events to Sensitise and empower Women, on Monday launched a special project on Mentoring the girl child. The maiden event of the new special project themed protection of the Girl-Child, attracted notable academics and civil servants to justice izuako’s compound Mbaukwu to Sensitise and mentor young Girls.
In her opening address, Hon. Justice Nkemdilim Izuako said the gesture was a way of giving back to society while noting that children need adequate development as they journey through morally-bankrupt world.
She decried that ethics had eroded Nigeria and her institutions and advocated for reorientation in other to improve ethical standards. She faulted leaders at various levels as well as parents for failing to instill enduring values to our young ones while pointing out the urgent need to de-emphasise materialism,
Justice Izuako then urged parents and leaders at all levels to take seriously their responsibility in shaping the lives of our young ones towards the right path. She further disclosed that similar sensitisation would take place at Izuobi’s compound Ifitedunu, Dunukofia local government area on December 30, 2020.
A speaker at the event, Anambra FIDA chairperson and professor of law at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Barr. Ogugua Ikpeze, hinged on formal and informal education as an essential tool for self development, advised the young girls to take education seriously as it helps to shape character, expose one rightly and enable them compete favourably with equals.
Speaking on the theme, Ikpeze reiterated the need to protect every girl-child from marginalisation, child trafficking, violence, defilement/rape, etc, and urged participants to ensure their rights are not infringed.
Another speaker Jennifer Ozua, a practising nurse who emphasized on proper hygiene practice urged the participants to ensure they take their bath regularly and keep proper sanitary hygiene during their periods.
In her remark, Dr. Chinwe Francisca Olikeze the proprietoress, Kings Foundation Schools, Onitsha regretted the rampant cases of incest looming in our society and warned of the impending repercussions, urging the girls to speak up if a family member makes sexual passes at them. She further urged the participants to shun examination malpractices and to embrace hard work.
In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi described the founder as mentor par excellence, adding that they would be willing to support the beneficiaries educationally and otherwise. She urged participants to put the lessons to practice.
High points of the sensitisation exercise was the distribution of sanitary pads, tissues, toothpastes, soaps, detergents, sanitisers, pants and perfumes to the participants.
