The Chief Executive Officer of PAMS Travels and Tours Limited, Mrs Olanike Mustapha has advised that investing in the total wellbeing of a girl child creates long time social and economic prospect for individual, community and the nation at large.
Mustapha gave this charge while delivering her keynote address at this year’s celebration of International Day of a Girl Child, held on Thursday at Community Grammar School Iwo road Ibadan.
Mustapha stressed that it is important to add value to the life of a girl child and her wellbeing with every efforts, time and resources.
She however urged the girls not to let anybody bring them down, or feel inferior due to one circurmstances or the other. “Whatever form you are is the unique features that God gave. Don’t feel less of yourself, always appreciate God for the privilege to be created as human being and keep pursuing your dreams”
“Dont engage in any relationship with opposite sex that will ruin your life … be mindful of what you watch or do and where you go with your friends.
“As I round up, I’ll like to retriate to every stakeholder in the development of the girl child, her parents, her teachers, and the society on how powerful the girl child is.
“The girl child is powerful, she has dreams and abilities that if wielded will change the society she finds herself in, she has foresight, she is intelligent, she is a born leader. When she arises, she makes things happen, Once she finds her voice, she cannot be silenced, She would not take no for an answer, she is a go-getter. Contrary to how she is perceived to be a weakling, she is strong, and she is a formidable force if given equal opportunity, she is bound to come to the top.
“And to the girl child, I want you to know that you are made for more beautiful, you are smart. remain focused, do not be distracted, and strive to be the best in all you do. Be bold, don’t allow your voice to be silenced, speak up and an excellent woman you will become.”
The Permanent Secretary/ Tutor General, Zone 3, Mrs Serifat Abimbola, in her speech said protecting the right of a girl child is important as every child is entitled to respect for dignity of his person.
” The feminine gender is generally regarded as weak and fragile but on contemporary term, feminine gender has metamorphosed and is now regarded as being bold and strong and as a matter of fact, the general saying “what a man can do; a woman can do better”, is getting louder and louder.
“We have women of integrity in the society, a good example for us ladies to look up to, ladies like the Director – General of the world trade organization, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Late Dora Akinyuli, who was a woman of prominence in every phase of life; Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili , an economic policy expert; Mrs Ibukun Awosika, a great motivation speaker and a successful business mogul”.
The principal, Community Gram. School, Ibadan, Mrs Adebisi Adebanji, lauded Pams Travels Boss for the initiative, and as well seeked for collective efforts to provide the girl child with needed support and environment that would make her thrive.
Adebisi advised parents and guardians to always prioritize the interest of a girl child in the family and not treating them as second class citizens.
The community school girls made the event an interesting one with colourful cultural display, march past, Beauty Pegeant , Poem and the likes.
