By Obinna Igwe
The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs. Mary Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has donated more than 10,000 copies of her book, Teenage Companion, to secondary school students across the 13 local government areas of the state in a move aimed at promoting quality education, moral values and youth development.
The donation, facilitated through her Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), drew commendation from the Ebonyi State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which described the initiative as a significant investment in the future of the state's young population.
Speaking during the distribution of the books in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chief Mrs. Mary Ngozi Otozi, lauded the First Lady for complementing the government's efforts in improving education and empowering young people.
She said the book was carefully written to guide teenagers through the challenges of adolescence by equipping them with the knowledge and values needed to make responsible decisions, build successful careers and become productive members of society.
According to her, the donation underscores the First Lady's unwavering commitment to the educational and personal development of children across Ebonyi State.
Mrs. Otozi presented the books to the wives of local government chairmen and Education Secretaries for onward distribution to students in both public and private secondary schools across the state.
She urged the Education Secretaries to collaborate closely with local government authorities to ensure the books reached the intended beneficiaries, stressing that the initiative would have a far-reaching impact on character development and academic excellence among students.
The permanent secretary also conveyed a message from the First Lady, encouraging stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns on menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, emphasizing the importance of personal hygiene and healthy living as part of the holistic development of young people.
She noted that Teenage Companion addresses critical issues affecting teenagers and provides practical guidance to help them navigate peer pressure, make informed life choices and prepare for a brighter future.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Emmanuella U. Ajah, and her Ikwo counterpart, Hon. Mrs. Nwankwo Uzoamaka L., expressed appreciation to the First Lady for what they described as a thoughtful and impactful intervention.
They pledged to ensure the books were distributed to students across their respective local government areas, noting that the publication would serve as a valuable resource in shaping the character, aspirations and academic success of the beneficiaries.
The local government officials further commended Chief Mrs. Nwifuru for her sustained commitment to youth empowerment through education and pledged their continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and future prospects of children in Ebonyi State.
