…It is important we educate the girl-child in order to liberate them from poverty, ignorance and hardship – Osodieme
…Underaged girls in Ayamelum are still given out in early marriages – Igwe Chidume
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Candidate for Anambra North District, Dr. Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, (Osodieme) has commended His Royal Highness Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume, MON, the traditional ruler of Omor Kingdom in Ayamelum LGA for initiating the need to have a girls secondary school in his community.
Osodieme who attended the Ofala festival on Friday while felicitating with the king stated that the need to intensify girl education is very necessary. The former First lady of Anambra state while highlighting the benefits of education especially for the ladies said it’s importance is numerous to mention
Mrs Obiano narrated how through her NGO, she discovered the high rate of under-aged girls of 10 -11years having babes stating that she was moved to train and accommodate them through creating a skill aquazition center and empowerment programs which has being functional for years.
“It is important we educate the girl-child in order to liberate them from poverty, ignorance and hardship. I thank God for the lives of those who have being generous and have contributed to the growth of Omor kingdom. Let’s continue to support each other and be our brothers keepers because all fingers are not equal. Osodieme urged ndi Ayamelum to support her ambition to the red chambers assuring them of quality representation.
His Royal Highness Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume, MON, in his speech said presently, Omor is confronted with the challenges of yesteryears where underaged girls in Ayamelum are still given out in early marriages, an unlawful practice that any civilized person in any part of the world should frown upon.
“From our understanding, and my person investigations, we have come to found out that the parents that are given out their under-aged daughters in marriages are doing soo because of their low economic status and ignorance.
“As a result of this, Omor people through the guidance of the supreme elders council, the Omor royal cabinet, Ozo Omor title holders and others resolved to embark on a project called “The Girl Child Education Project”. This project will commence with the construction of a befitting girls secondary school with boarding facilities here in Omor.
“By this act, Omor people are taking the first step and seized the initiative to provide a parcel of land big enough for this purpose, and also to envisage the anticipated growth the school will experience, given the population of not just Omor, but the entire Ayamelum and its environs.
“It breaks my heart to that there’s no school in Ayamelum dedicated to the girl child. I therefore call on the Anambra state government under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Sen Stella Oduah, Hon. Vincent Ofumelu, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, friends and allies of Omor, our in-laws and anybody in the society who appreciates what education can do in the life of the girl child and by implications the society.
