… Eleven Schools In Attendance
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Remarkably, Women-in-Surveying (WIS), Imo State Branch; an affiliate of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Imo State Branch in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Owerri Metropolitan on Thursday, November 7, organized a one-day seminar aimed at empowering girls from various secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. The event held at the Imo State Secretariat of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) off Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri, drawing experts and students in attendance.
In her address, the Imo State Coordinator of WIS, Surv Dr. Mrs. Egenamba Juliet, disclosed the efforts of the group in helping students to make good decisions on life patterns and career, including advising them to study surveying. The aim of the seminar she noted was to teach the young females the importance of holistic education in pursuit of success, as well as the health, economic and environmental benefits of turning to reusable menstrual pads.
She added that the participants would also acquire skills in liquid soap making and that of air freshener, thanking all who contributed towards the success of the seminar. According to her, the theme of the event: “Empowering the Girl Child Through Basic Education and Skill Acquisition” captured the essence of the seminar which was the first of its kind in the state, as she urged the students to leverage the opportunity well.
On her own, the President of the Rotary Club of Owerri Metropolitan, Rtn Surv. Mrs. Onyinye Okafor, averred that the seminar was organized to address some of the circumstances of the girl child in order to help young girls embrace adulthood with sound dispositions, attitudes and career choices. Rtn Surv Okafor, hinted that WIS and the Rotary Club shared the same idea concerning proper education, personal/environmental hygiene and skill acquisition for the young females to brighten their future.
Speaking, the Guest Lecturer, Mrs. Aki Udodiri Ijeoma, said that education which comes from the home, at schools and religious assemblies among others was indispensable in harnessing the potentials of a girl child. She said the benefits included freedom from social and gender-based barriers, while helping young females to express their intellectual prowess. Mrs. Aki also said that an empowerd female domestically, economically and educationally always make informed decisions, stressing its importance.
On her own, the Chief Guest Speaker, Rtn. Dr Emily Nzeribe, while speaking on hygiene, urged the students to embrace reusable menstrual pads which are not only cost-effective, but environmental friendly. She emphasized that regular sanitary pads are costly in the face of economic hardships as well as threaten public health because they are not easily degradable, while emitting dangerous substances into the atmosphere. Dr. Nzeribe who displayed the pads to them, also demonstrated how to maintain and preserve them.
In their separate admonitions, the Imo State Chairman of NIS, Surv Dr. Kingsley Orisakwe; the Imo State Surveyor General, Surv. Bob Uzodimma Odidika and the Keynote Speaker, Surv Mrs. Miriam Okali, all hailed the seminar for its benefits to the participants. They emphasized the importance of making good careers choices for individuals to enjoy fulfilment and satisfaction in future, and urged the participating students to embrace surveying profession to realize their life ambitions. They also narrated surveying practices and importance to the society.
Similarly, the District Governor-Elect of Rotary Club, Rtn Kelechi Anyanwu and the District Membership Chairman Rtn Dr. Nneka Ewenike, took turns to counsel the participants on right paths to follow in life, highlighting the importance on one taking responsibility towards achieving success. The duo explained that Rotary Club consisted of individuals who collaborate efforts through time, talents and resources towards making the society better, while encouraging the students to join Rotary Interact Club to develop skills for leadership and service.
Meanwhile, the Skill Trainer, Surv. Mrs. Okoro Chinelo, harped on skill acquisition as the solution to challenges facing Nigeria, adding that such should compliment academic trainings. While teaching the participants the procedures for making air freshener and liquid soap, Surv Okoro encouraged the students to empower themselves with skills in order to ensure economic stability. The event witnessed production of air freshener and liquid soap by the students as directed by the trainer.
Speaking to our reporter, some of the students hailed Women In Surveying and the Rotary Club of Owerri Metropolitan for the seminar, describing it as impactful and awakening while promising to build on the outcome as well as to embrace the surveying profession. They included: Onuoha Divine Chinonso, Eluagu Josephine, Ndekwe Ekpere Emmanuella, Okazi Munachi and Isiguzo Vivian Ozioma. While Ohanyere Chiamaka Precious said: “I’m impressed. I thank the organizers for impacting my life. I want to study surveying.
The following schools attended the event: Amen International Christian School, Owerri, Imo State University, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Claret Academy, Owerri City Secondary School, Bishop Lasbrey Girls Secondary School, Irete, Federal College of Land Resources, Community Secondary School, Orogwe, Destiny International Secondary School, Ogbaku and Alpha Glorious Academy, Ogbaku.
