11th October, 2021
By Jethro Ibileke
Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Besty Obaseki, has charged young girls in the State to seek role models that will continue to inspire them to greater heights in their chosen fields.
She further charged them to harness opportunities provided by online platforms in making significant success within their chosen spheres of influence.
She gave the charge in a statement to mark this year’s celebration of the United Nations’ Day of the Girl-Child, with the theme: “Digital Generation: Our Generation.”
Mrs Obaseki who noted that the last two years have been rather unsettling for the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic added that the Girl-Child has borne the hardest brunt of the global misfortune.
According to her, “Health and safety measures such as the lockdown and increased reliance on online platforms for work, worship and leisure are still in place to prevent and curb the spread of the virus.
“The abusive conditioning of young females with rape, child marriage, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and gender inequality is now on an astronomical high.
“This year’s theme for the International Day of the Girl-Child is “Digital Generation: Our Generation.” It calls to mind the need to harness this vast online space for learning, earning and connecting in ways that will create new tech pioneers in today’s world.
“The challenges of the Girl-Child have increased in the past two years, requiring more strength and resolve to surmount them.
“I have always sign-posted successful female trailblazers to inspire us in this regard and I urge you to look for those in your chosen fields and let them mentor you to succeed.
“Happy International Day of the Girl-Child,” she said.
The Edo First Lady promised to continue to create and support improved platforms that address and counter gender inequality, like her most recent initiative, Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament.