The Executive Director of Endybekx Initiatives for Children and Women Development (EBICWD), Ambassador Bekenawei Nwachukwu, has promised to continuously advocate for the wellbeing and for collaborations toward alleviating the plights of the girl child in the rural riverine communities in Delta State and beyond.

The EBICWD Executive Director made the call at a sensitization programme organised to mark the 2025 edition of the International Day of the Girl Child, themed "The Girl I Am, The Change I Need, Girls in the Frontline of Crisis", that held in Kokodiagbene community Town Hall, Gbaramatu Kingdom on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Among the series of activities that featured at the programme organised in collaboration with Kokodiagbene Community and assisted by the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) include a quiz and essay competition, cultural dance, presentation of awards in recognition of Kokodiagbene community's contribution to quality education.

Speaking on the purpose of its first ever programme to be held in Kokodiagbene, Amb. Nwachukwu revealed that the initiative was determined to add its voice in sensitization and advocating for the needs of the girl child, not only in Kokodiagbene, but across other communities.

"Sensitization cannot be overemphasized. It's letting these girls know that the world recognized them, especially being a day set aside by the United Nations. Though we understand the date is officially October 11, but we just had to celebrate it at 30th.

"And we really do not want to end it just in the Kokodiagbene community. Being the first that we're doing it here, we intend to cut across all the communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, but all other creek communities in the Niger Delta as well.

"Advocating for the girl child is so important and we'll continue to lend a voice. Endybekx Initiative for Children and Women Development will continue to lend a voice to do that and to see that the girls from the Niger Delta will be able to stand tall, shoulder to shoulder with all the girls from the urban region and even the world at large, if possible," she noted.

The EBICWD ED noted that the creek child, particularly the girl child, faces peculiar challenges than her urban counterparts.

She said, "In terms of the menstrual hygiene, it is a serious challenge. For their urban counterparts, they can readily get these accessories for their menstrual hygiene. But from the creek, it's not readily, even the cost of it is quite expensive. So padding the girl child from the creek is one big project that I think we should hold to heart dearly, which will help to boost their mental health and the hygienic nature.

"Another challenge I also see is education-wise has always been a challenge for the girl child. Most of our schools in the riverine communities are not situated in one place, assessing these educational facilities is a challenge, too," she stated.

Amb. Nwachukwu also listed other challenges as lack of proper guidance and mentorship, sexual abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy, while calling for continuous sensitization "to educate the gatekeepers, parents, and every other stakeholder to ensure that we protect every girl child so that they don't fall victim of teenage pregnancy and abuse and rape," she added.

"So, I really want to lend my voice and speak to every stakeholder, every gatekeeper and every other person that is at the helms of affair in government parastatals to give support, major support, to the girl child education," the EBICWD ED appealed 

Amb. Nwachukwu thanked the traditional leadership of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the executive leadership of Kokodiagbene community, and other stakeholders for their support of the girl child advocacy.

Present among other guests in attendance are Mr. Gabriel Ukuli, General Secretary of Kokodiagbene Community exco who represented the chairman, Comrade Ark Selegha; Nesiama Seigha, vice president of NAGS; Rev. Oreva Idudhe, Secretary of Kokodiagbene Secondary School; teachers, pupils and students.

View photos here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17GVnjA6rp/

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