Egbemode harps on need for parents, guardians to invest in education of girl child

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode has harped on the need for parents and guardians to invest in the education of girl child, advancing that womanhood is the supporting pillar that holds the entire humanity.

Mrs Egbemode made this assertion while delivering a lecture at Baptist Girls High School in commemoration of year 2022 International Girls Child Day during which a borehole sponsored by the Old Student’s Association of the School was dedicated and handed over to the school authorities.

The Commissioner who was highly elated while appreciating the 1970 set of Baptist Girls High School Osogbo for coming together to give back to their alma mata also thanked the teachers for impacting on the young ones and sustaining the legacy of the founding fathers of the legendary institution.

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She also appreciated God for blessing the State with the caliber of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola whose passion for educational development motivated him to take proactive steps to reposition the state’s educational sector for better results.

The Information Commissioner, who is also an alumna of the
school, stated that contributing to one’s school’s development as an old student was one of the surest ways to develop the society.

While describing girls as strong, shining stars, who are wired to grapple with numerous responsibilities in the society, Mrs Egbemode advised them to remain focused and avoid distractions to excel.

In her advice to the students, the State Information Ministry boss counselled: “I know everybody wants to travel abroad, but do you realize that the whole world is facing a serious problem? So, please as a girl child, you must not allow yourself to be molested by anybody because the future belongs to the serious-minded ones.

“It is high time you raised your fighting spirit to the positivity such as ‘I can do it,’ ‘I can make it in life’ because you are specially made”, the Commissioner concluded.

In their separate talks, the National President of the School Alumni, Prof. (Mrs) Olaide Adedokun and the Principal of the school, Mrs Esther Mosobalaje, agreed that the female folk in the society were usually susceptible to gender-based violence, sexual abuse, low self-esteem, rape, child trafficking, and incest, among others.

The duo however commended Governor Oyetola for returning schools to the old order, and for considering a sizeable number of women in his cabinet.

While disclosing that the borehole, sunk for the students, is just one of the projects delivered by the Alumni, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, the School Principal itemized other projects executed as entrance gate and perimeter fence.

She then called on the Government and well-meaning Nigerians to rise up in support of their various alma mater, in the interest of the young ones.

The programme which had in attendance members of Old Students’ Association of Baptist Girls High school Osogbo, who are women of substance in their various fields of endeavor, featured cultural dance, and presentation of gifts to both the Junior and senior students of the school.