Wife of the Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Dr. Gift Ihunda, has urged girls to remain focused on their education, pursue their dreams with confidence, support one another, and grow into productive women who can contribute meaningfully to society.
She gave the charge while hosting female students from various secondary schools in PHALGA to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in the Girl Child.”
Stressing that the girl child possesses strength, intelligence, and immense potential and deserves equal opportunities to thrive, she advised the students not to allow societal pressures or negative influences to derail their aspirations or push them into early marriage.
Dr Ihunda described education as a vital pathway to leadership and success, citing accomplished women such as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as role models whose achievements should inspire young girls to aim high and pursue their ambitions.
The PHALGA First Lady also encouraged the students to promote mutual support, responsible behaviour and positive relationships among their peers.
She urged them to speak out against molestation, abuse and exploitation, warning them against suffering in silence when confronted with such challenges.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chairman of PHALGA, Hon. Mina Mildred Tom-Quinn, described the girl child as an important contributor to the development of the family, community, state and nation.
She noted that child marriage deprives girls of education, freedom and opportunities to fulfil their potential, while exposing them to health risks and socio-economic challenges.
She, therefore, called on parents to give their daughters equal support, teachers to inspire and protect female students, and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to end child marriage.
In his remarks, the Supervisor for Education, Hon. Franklin Amadi, encouraged the students to cultivate good character, respect their parents, study hard and resist negative peer pressure, bullying and cultism.
He appealed to parents and guardians to allow their children to mature, acquire quality education and prepare adequately for the future rather than subjecting them to early marriage.
Hon. Amadi commended Dr. Ihunda for organising the programme and stated the need for collective efforts to promote the education, protection and overall development of children.
The commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among government, parents, educators and communities to protect girls from abuse, eliminate child marriage and create equal opportunities for every girl to achieve her dreams.
- Matthew is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Port Harcourt LGA.