BENIN CITY – A total of 83 students has graduated from the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) School’s Outreach Programme.
The students drawn from Evbareke Secondary School and Asoro Grammar School, both in Egor Local Government axis of Benin City, Edo State.
GPI is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) committed to the social wellbeing of the girl child.
Of the 83 graduands, 57 received certificate of graduation while 26 received certificate of participation.
Coordinator of GPI, Mrs. Grace Osakue said the one year programme provided the graduands who were all girls the requisite knowledge on sexuality, gender, human rights and general moral and values which they require to function as responsible members of the society.
Presently, she said the outreach programme is in 18 secondary in Edo State with the enrollment of up to 150 participants.
Highlighting the importance of the outreach programme to the making of a responsible society, she noted that the Nigerian society is one in which girls are highly vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Consequently, she said girls need the right information to be able to negotiate their rights with other members of the society who might want to use the girls vulnerability to gain advantage.
She added that the training received during the programme would also enable the graduands utilize opportunities that may come their way.
“These are things that are not contained in the everyday curricular in schools, she said, adding that the graduates are supposed to be fear educators.
Edo State Commissioner for Basic Education, Hon. Patrick Aguinede who was represented by the Desk Officer, Special Education, Unit of the Ministry, Mrs. Evelyn Okpeahier in her remarks urged the graduands to remain focus in their academic pursuit in order to achieve their vision of becoming responsible members of the society.
State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Blessing Megida who was represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Enakhimion, the Director, Child Development in the ministry urged the graduands not to subscribed to the negative toga the society tends to ascribe to them.