The Delta State Commisioner of Information, Mr Patrick Ukah giving the Award to Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor, Represented by High Chief Christopher Nwajiogoli
By Emmanuel Enebeli
KWALE/Nigeria: The issue of proper Girl-Child education, training, and guidance has again been raised as the girl-child has witnessed constant negligence by the society, and the government of the day, not enforcing the laws that will ensure the protection of the girl-child and access to education and security.
The Representatives of Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor with some of the Ndokwa women at the occasion
The recent concern was raised by the Executive Director, Social Services Development in the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor, at the end of the Biennial Award ceremony and Official Opening of the Ndokwa Daughters and Wives Association, NDAWA, Secretariat Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, in an interview with the press.
Hon Ochor who was represented by High Chief Christopher Nwajiogoli, congratulated the organisations effort for the successful completion of the project, and the 6th Biennial Award, said that the place of the girl child in the society cannot be neglected, as events after events has shown the importance of the women folks in the society, beginning from the homes.
He pointed out that societal benefit of women is been threatened with the daily eroding of the right of the girl-child, as she is confronted with intimidation of various kind.
Hon Ochor, who was one of the award recipients, frowned at number of the girls who are out of school because of cultural practices, female circumcision, and uses as economic sources for families who are facing difficulties in their daily lives.
He appealed to NDAWA to use their place and office to rekindle that African culture of purity, especially with the continuous trend in the entertainment world, where the girls had become objects of pleasure, where the men will be fully well dressed with about four shirts on a pair of trouser, and the girls will be almost naked. He condemned the various practices that degrade the girl child, and called on the women to fight this trend, which is also taking away the dexterity for good work in the society.
“The gathering of today is that of Ndokwa, African women. This is what we are known for, dexterity for good work. This is what we should be teaching to our children, especially the girl-child”. He said.
“What western culture is doing to our teeming girls is demining, but we can correct this if we, our women focus on fighting some vices that are taking over our streets, schools, and the entire society, especially in the entertainment world, where the men are fully dressed and girls naked”. He said.
“I will also use this opportunity to call on the Ndokwa women to come out and speak against some issues which is depriving the girl child from some basic social amenities like the easy access to good education. This is a problem, and we must all fight it.”
Earlier, the chairman of the event, Rtd. Admiral Mike Onah, while praising the women for achieving the completion of the secretariat, and been constant with the biennial award ceremony, admonished many Nigerians from having mental slavery of what he called the fear of joining forces to develop their communities, which the women association overcame to achieve the completion of the project.
Meanwhile, the Special Guest of Honour at the event, the Delta State Governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Bar Ernest Ogwuezy called on the women to key into the various programmes which the state government has developed, as development of the women of the state is paramount to the government.
In her welcome address, the President of NDAWA, Chief Mrs Philomena Egwenum, called for more support for the body, which her objective is to empower the Ndokwa child with trainings that will better their lives.
The occasion was marked with the commissioning of the secretariat by the special guest of Honour, installation of new patrons, award of certificate and Honours.
The event attracted dignitaries from Ndokwa and across the state, some of those in attendance were the President General of Ndokwa nation, High Chief Johnson Opone, Commissioner of Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, who represented Senator Peter Nwaboshi, Hon. Charles Emetulu Executive Assistant to the Governor on Community Relation, Ogbuefi Vandal Abanum, and many others across the state.
