Anambra’s Health Ministry to partner Miss Nigeria on girl-child education

ANAMBRA State Commissioner for Health, Vincent Okpala, has assured the 43rd Miss Nigeria beauty pageant winner, Miss Beauty Estsahu Tukura that his ministry will partner with her in girl-child education.

Dr Okpala said this while receiving the beauty queen and her team, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Awka.

The commissioner welcomed them on behalf of the state government and assured them of his ministry’s support in achieving their objectives.

“Your visit is timely because right now in the health sector, every October is very important for us and women in general because it is breast cancer awareness month.

“I truly applaud your initiatives as the things you have chosen to align with, are some of the things we do in the ministry.

“At the ministerial level, some of the things you mentioned, the visit of your organisation and what they have chosen to establish are things that will actually promote health.

“In the ministry, we have a School of Health Programme; they will also align with your project.”

He noted that health was not just about diseases but also involves physical, mental and social well-being of persons.

The commissioner said that the state partnered the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (ROLAC), to establish Sexual Assault Referral Centre, named, “Ntasi Centre”.

“It is good for our girls to know that we are not praying for any of them to get exposed to rape or sexual assault.

 “But it is also good for them to understand that there is somewhere for succour in case such a thing happens.”

He emphasised that girls paying attention to health was a responsibility that had to start early because it would go a long way to help them.

Dr Okpala commended “Whispering Hope Africa Initiatives” for working together with the Girl Child Club to educate young girls in the society.    

Earlier, Miss Nigeria, Beauty Tukura, said that the purpose of her visit was to seek collaboration, launch and to establish the `Girl Child Lead Club’ in Omor Community School, Ayamelum LGA.

“It was a great event because there was a huge turnout of women including married and unmarried.

Miss Tukura explained that the club was a platform to give young girls an opportunity to get back to school.

“The club enhances them with the necessary skills that they need; what we are trying to achieve is to bring out their capabilities, natural talents and to teach them a skill.

“We want your ministry to partner with us in the areas of health, education and sensitisation as well as help us encourage them to go for HIV/AIDS and other tests.”

In attendance at the visit are Director, Medical Services, Dr Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, Director, Nursing and Services, Mrs Uche Udeze, Head of Admin and Planning Departments, Mr Anthony Obi and Mrs Edith Nwachukwu, respectively.

Others are Executive Director, Whispering Hope Africa Initiatives, Miss Nkechi Udegboka, Coordinator, Non-Communicable Diseases, Mrs Stella Chiejina and Health Promotion Coordinator, Mrs Bridget Echezona.