Osun Governor’s wife, Deputy Speaker wife partners NYC, Gifts Sanitary Pad to over 300 Female Students in Ife North

The Wife of the Osun State Governor, Amb. Mrs Erelu Ngozi Adeleke alongside Mrs. Fatimah Oyewusi, the wife of the Osun State Deputy Speaker in partnership with the Nigeria Youth Congress, Osun State chapter, yesterday presented sanitary pads to over 300 female students of private and public secondary schools in Ife North.

The distribution of sanitary pads which took place at the Ipetumodu Town Hall also coincided with the celebration of the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration themed; Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.

In a statement released by the Spokesperson to the Deputy Speaker, Segun Amure, Mrs. Oyewusi stated that the girl child faces many challenges in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.

According to her, “Those challenges range from families who see them as liabilities instead of assets to societies who don’t appreciate their talents and abilities because of their gender. In many African societies, the girl child is seen as an object for sexual gratification.”

Mrs. Oyewusi added further that period problems is one of the various challenges plaguing the girl child and it can get in the way of a girl’s brighter future due to the lack of sanitary pads and other things needed for managing their periods. Therefore, Girls without adequate health care are at high risk of discomfort or shame and stigma that may discourage girls from attending school while menstruating.

Encouraging the female students, the wife of the Deputy Speaker quoted from Chimamanda Adichie’s Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions stated that Periods are nothing to be ashamed of. Periods are normal and natural, and the human species would not be alive if periods did not exist.

Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Governor of Osun State, Amb. Mrs. Erelu Ngozi Adeleke appreciated the wife of the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Oyewusi, and members of the (NYC) for organizing a timely programme for the girl child.

Her Excellency, in her address to the students, emphasized the importance of taking action based on the knowledge gained, particularly stressing the exclusive use of sanitary pads over other materials during menstruation.

Erelu commended all women for their resilience and support during challenging times and urged everyone to prioritize this year’s International Women’s Day theme.

Highlights of the event included an informative health talk by the Guest Speaker, Mrs. C.K Dairo, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, on menstrual hygiene, practical demonstrations of sanitary pad usage, disposal, and the distribution of sanitary pads to students, among other activities.

The event was filled with educational and inspiring messages from dignitaries, principals and school heads, and secondary school students among others.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Special Adviser, RAMP, Hon. Moji Omisore, Caretaker Chairmen; Hon. Mike Akande, (Ife North Main council), Hon. Tope Babawale (Ife North West) and Hon. Femi Eluyinka (Ife North Area Council), Ife North PDP Chairman, Hon. Adesoye Adewole, High Chief Lekan Obisakin, Hon. Pelumi Ojo (SSA, Sanitation), SSA, Science and Technology, Hon. Kunle Bello, SA O’meal Hon. Anu Ogundare, Hon. Akin Ogundare, Hon. Taiwo Abiola, Ife North Traditional Chiefs, PDP women leaders, and other admirers.