BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
The African Immigrants Resources Centre, based i has distributed sanitary pads to over 400 students of the Egbu Girls School, Owerri.
The centre distributed the pads through its subsidiary, the Give A Girl A Pad (GAGAP) project, as part of activities marking the World Menstrual Hygiene Day, in Owerri.
Convener of GAGAP, Mrs Chimezie Oji-Kalu, while giving out the free pads, said that the initiative, sponsored by the Egbu Girls’ Old Girls Association (EGOGA) of 1991 set, was part of efforts by the centre to cater for the needs of the girl child.
Oji-Kalu, represented by the GAGAP Coordinator in Imo, Mrs Winifred Ijeaku, said that among other things, the initiative was aimed at helping young girls avoid the mistakes of the past in the area of menstrual hygiene.
She said that with the pads, problems such as the spread of diseases and low self esteem resulting from poor hygiene could be avoided.
She also thanked the Secretary of the EGOGA 1991 set, Mrs Ijeoma Akujobi-Emetuche for being a true friend and for leading sponsorship of the project.
“This is our little way of giving value to the girl child, restoring her dignity and giving back to society.
“Our vision is to eliminate period poverty and progressively, we will get there”, she enthused.
She called on government at various levels and well-spirited Nigerians to support the GAGAP initiative to enable the Centre achieve its objectives.
Speaking, the EGOGA President, 1991 set, Dr Ugomma Ogbonnaya, who currently works with the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, said that the association was proud to identify with GAGAP , as role models for the students.
One of the students, Mrs Queenesther Asonye, expressed gratitude for the free pads and health advice, and prayed for God’s blessings.
