The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, distributing some of the items to the students.
By Anietie Akpan
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has donated educational tablets, gift packs to 500 female students and pupils in the state.
Lady Obareki, in a press release from her Media Unit, reiterated her commitment to advancing the rights, education and empowerment of the girl child. describing girls as resilient agents of change capable of shaping the future.
The Coordinator was addressing 500 pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state, who converged on the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, for the celebration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” Lady Obareki highlighted the importance of recognising the strength, potential and leadership of young girls, even in the face of economic, social and environmental challenges.
She commended girls in the state for their diligence and innovation, noting that many have excelled in academics, entrepreneurship and community development. She emphased that the administration of Governor Umo Eno, through the ARISE Agenda, remains committed to creating an enabling environment for the girl child to thrive.
“This theme challenges the old narrative that paints the girl child merely as vulnerable. Instead, it positions her as a powerful, necessary agent of change – a resilient leader navigating, surviving, and actively rebuilding the world amidst crises.
“Through GIFA, we are making targeted investments in leadership and learning, focusing on mentorship and equipping our girls not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and character needed for future leadership roles,” she said.
Lady Obareki who acknowledged the provision of the U-Lesson educational tablets by the Educational Empowerment Scheme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, in Collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, parents, educators and community leaders to dismantle social and cultural barriers that limit girls’ opportunities .
She urged parents and guardians to prioritise the education and welfare of their daughters, stressing that families serve as the first line of defence against abuse and discrimination, encouraging girls to believe in their abilities, embrace learning, and take charge of their future with confidence.
In her speech, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, emphasied that a woman’s role extends beyond building homes and but can also take on leadership positions in various professional fields. She encouraged girls to take their education seriously to attain such leadership roles.
Senator Eyakenyi who noted that the Child Rights Law is operational in the state, commended Governor Eno, for his remarkable efforts in advancing the education of Akwa Ibom children, leading to significant representation of women in all sectors of his administration.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon Inibehe Silas, in her tone setting, stated that the event organised to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child had brought together female stakeholders and a seasoned speaker to educate, enlighten, motivate and inspire the girls to be confident and to activate their potentials.
During a mentoring session, the Guest Speaker and Creative Director of House of Borah, Mrs Ifiokobong Akan, urged the girls to pursue their purpose and blend it with creativity, emphasising that every powerful woman begins as a determined girl, whose resilience, emotional control and constructive debate, will take her to greater heights of success.
Reiterating that education opens doors to opportunities, Mrs Akan called on girls to be consistent with their studies in order to seek and receive equal rights and opportunities, as the boy child.
On behalf of the other girls who came for the event, Miss Miracle Johnny expressed gratitude to Lady Obareki for celebrating and inspiring them to aspire to become future leaders.
Goodwill messages were presented by the Member representing Urue-Offong Oruko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Precious Selong; the immediate past Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Dr Ekaette Ebong; the Special Assistant to the Government on General Duties, Hon Ann Abraham; the Coordinator of the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka and a facilitator of the RHI, Mrs Emem Orok.
High point of the event was the distribution of the U-Lesson RHI/NDDC educational tablets to the girls to aid their teaching and learning process in school, as well as personal care gift packs to all the girls present, with a stern warning to school teachers and principals against taking the tabs from the children.
The event also featured the cutting of an anniversary cake by the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, supported by the Deputy Governor and other stakeholders, as well as a special presentation from members of the Akwa Ibom Young Professionals.
