Banigo Urges Girl Child Scholarships

General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo (right), presenting some copies of The Tide to President, Rotary Club of Por Harcourt Central, Rtn. Paul Ben-Cookey, when members of the Rotary Club paid a courtesy visit to the corporation in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson.

Deputy Governor of Riv
ers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo says provision of scholarship for the Girl Child would keep them off the street.
Dr. Banigo stated this, when the leadership of Nigerian Girl Guild Association, Rivers State branch paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Banigo expressed concern over the number of girls who dropped out of school, stressing that it has led to the increase in the rate of social vices in the society.
The Deputy Governor advocated for value reorientation as panacea for a better society while urging the association to utilise its wide network to positively mobilise women particularly the Girl Child in the fight against societal ills.
She noted that the State Government holds voluntary organisations, such as the Nigerian Girl Guides, in high esteem and enjoined the Association to live up its expectation as character moulders of girls and young women so that they can be responsible futures leaders.
Dr. Banigo regretted that a lot of girls are endangering their lives by engaging in abortion, prostitution, and street hawking that debase womanhood, noting that the rate of HIV/AIDs infection are higher in females than the males due to reckless lifestyle by most women.
According to her, “we need to go back to the basis to correct the wrongs and put the right foundation in place. We must get to the root of the problem.  Mothers should live up to their responsibilities by asking questions on the movement of their children.”
The Deputy Governor remarked that the Wike-Led Government would ensure that the Girl Child is given ample opportunity to access have quality education so as to  fulfill their destinies.
Earlier, the state Commissioner, Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Rivers State branch, Mrs. Adainne Dima, said the body is committed to training girls and young women to develop their full potentials as responsible citizens by instilling good moral, discipline, social and intellectual values in them.
Mrs. Dima said at 106 years of existence, the association remains one of the oldest female organisation in the world with membership strength of over 10 million and serves as a strong voice for girls.