By Onwa Ekor
A total of 38 girls who participated in a three-year adolescents safe space program of Girls Power Initiative (GPI) in Calabar, the Cross River capital, have been certified as peer educators.
Speaking at the 28th graduation and public education forum with the theme, “Youth advancing in technology and partnership,” representative of the co-founder, Mrs Uloma Madunagu, enjoined the graduands to rely on the lessons learnt during the process to support each other while ensuring that people who come around them continue to experience positive change.
For the coordinator, GPI Calabar center, Comfort Ikpeme, “today we are sending forth 38 girls into the society to spread the gospel of GPI, to continue impacting in their environment wherever they find themselves, to continue to be the light and to build and empower girls like we have trained them to be.”
According to Ikpeme, the graduands have gone through all that is required of them including adherence to the rules and regulations, pointing out that many who started the program couldn’t make it to the end in line with the saying that, many were called, but few chosen.
“These ones have gone through all our rigorous requirements including the social works around schools in Calabar to pass on the information and messages to their peers.
“During that process, we had cause to drop few who could not meet up despite all we tried, but I am sure they will still be here for us to brush them more so that when they are going out, we know that we are sending out strong and capable hands,” the coordinator said.
Ikpeme, a GPI product who graduated in 2001 also informed that, “when you hear anyone says I am a GPI graduate without the certificate that is being issued today, know that such person is not from us as most of them will come and along the way, they fall off because of misconduct and go out to exhibit and spread very negative attitude.”
Representatives of The Police, Immigration, Unical Students Union Government, Alumni association, Ministries of Social Welfare, Justice and Women Affairs in their goodwill messages, lauded the management and staff of GPI, for the feats achieved in moulding girls aged 10 to 18.
In her valedictory speech, a graduand, Beatrice Martins, affirmed that the three years program helped to shape their leadership skills, public speaking techniques and ability to speak out while empowering their peers.
Martins said: “This place turned to our second home. GPI heard our laughter and our whispers. The friendship we built, the values we learnt and the memories we created will stay for us for life, hence we must carry forward what we have learnt, the courage to face challenges, the kindness to help others and the determination to chase our dreams.”
In her presentation on “Youth advancing in technology and partnership,” Faith Inameti, encouraged the graduands to choose technology and apps, using them wisely as the society finds itself in a world where technology rules.
Inameti urged them not to be limited by parents imagination, but always dream, imagine and embrace even jobs that women are not considered to attempt.
Earlier, Chairperson of the event, Aruk Ene, recalled that, “many years ago, I was seated as you are sitting today eagerly waiting to be certified as a peer educator so that I can take my vast knowledge to the society including social actions that will better the lives of my peers.”
Continuing, she advised the graduands to take seriously the lessons learnt during the program as only that would add meaning to their lives, career and development.
“I am saying this as one who has enjoyed the benefit, so as you embark on this new chapter, remember the lessons learnt, the values instilled in you, move with confidence and make a mark on the world,” the Chairperson charged.
Highpoints of the event were sing-songs, dance presentation, display of success video clips, presentation of certificates and gifts including a minute silence in honour of the late co-founder, Bene Madunagu.
32 years old GPI is a non government, not-for-profit making and non partisan organization that addresses adolescent concerns such as health, protection, rights and responsibilities, skills building for adolescent girl child and women at large.
Also, it aims at assisting girls to live healthy, achieve full potential, prevent risks of sexual activity, unwanted and unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, gender based violence, exploitation and sexual abuse.
