Rotary Club Trains Rivers Female Students On Self-Defence

Following a recent rise in attacks and sexual harassment of women, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA has trained no fewer than 50 female students of secondary schools in Rivers State on self-defence.

The students were drawn from the Holy Rosary College, Our Lady of Fatima College, Federal Government Girls’ College and the Government Model Secondary School, GRA, all in Port Harcourt.

Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt during the closing ceremony of the exercise tagged, “Empower Her,” president of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, Dr Patterson Ogon, said the project, nicknamed “Girl-child Empowerment Initiative,” was designed to build self-confidence in the girls.

“This project was designed to build self-confidence because we value our girls, daughters and sisters.

You are a daughter, a sister and so I am under an obligation at any point to see you wherever you are, support you, strengthen you and build that confidence in you because you are a special people.

“So, today, having had the opportunity of going through the classes, built those skills, learnt necessary first aid and health tips, we think you are prepared and we are happy that you came out. This will not be the last series,” Ogon said.

In her goodwill message, Dr Ingiwaribi Max-Alalibo, a representative of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), a sponsor of the Initiative, said the programme aims to encourage the girl-child to be confident and disciplined.

Another sponsor, Mazi Onyekachi Omenuko, expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA for sustaining the programme which was initiated five years ago.