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The Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation – CYDPAN has flagged off a state-wide sensitisation of young boys and girls in select secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state, within which course it has also distributed over 200 free sanitary pads to secondary school girls, as well as education and distribution of pamphlets on menstrual hygiene and general information on the different manifestations expected at the age of puberty.

 

 

Speaking at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School – CCSS, Four Towns, Uyo, where hundreds of sanitary pads were distributed to underprivileged girls in the school, the program, according to CYDPAN’s director general, Robert Boniface, aims to, among other things, raise awareness on personal hygiene of girls in secondary schools during menstruation.

Robert believes that ensuring access to sanitary pads and sanitation facilities should be given priority to female children in secondary school, as the frightening state of their minds during the early stages of their menstrual seasons, cannot be overemphasised. CYDPAN’s director further noted that these fears by the vulnerable girls are further compounded, especially when their parents and guardians lack the required funds to ensure that their girl children procure all necessary materials to cater for their menstrual needs at the setting in of the puberty age.

Worst of all, Robert notes that the deficiency in proper and accurate information, further leaves innocent girls wondering about the meaning of their altering body metabolisms. He noted that the girls’ perception of the phenomena, at times get further complicated with erroneous stories peddled by ignorant parents and guardians to scare the girl child on the possibilities of getting pregnant by a mere touch from the opposite sex, when they are menstruating or about to menstruate. Robert noted that these wrong information which parents peddle, thinking it is best, as it will help protect their girl children from unwanted pregnancies, are very risky and dangerous, as they expose the girl child to untold traumas of uncertainty and inquisitiveness, as to what is really obtainable in the real world. He noted that the parents themselves stand the risk of losing their girl children’s trust, when they manage to figure out the truth by themselves. These he said leads the girls into making all kinds of experiments, since at this point, they believe nothing can go wrong, as all the stories they have been fed with since assuming puberty are lies.

The CYDPAN director vowed that the NGO, concerned with the alleviation of poverty and rendering assistance to the worst hit and vulnerable in the society, will not relent on efforts in reaching out to address issues of these magnitudes in the society. Robert said CYDPAN has begun to address the issues by working with schools and communities to raise awareness on hygiene, as well as give out invaluable assistance and educations on the girl child and puberty.

Narrating her experiences, 14-year-old Emediong shared with CYDPAN in CCSS Uyo her ordeals in managing her menstrual flow, prior to the visit of CYDPAN to their school: ‘I used to use clothes that I would cut from my old T-shirt to keep the blood from staining my school uniform, but they were not enough and blood would still stain my cloth’. In the same vein, another student told the CYDPAN team that she would usually miss school during her period due to poor management of the phenomena, and also to protect herself from the embarrassments that ensue, considering her circle comes quite heavily.

Speaking further on the afore-highlighted realities in the society, CYDPAN director, Robert Boniface noted that providing for even the basic needs of girls between the ages of 9 and 15 in secondary schools has been an overwhelming and tremendous challenge, leaving CYDPAN dependent on the generosity of philanthropic individuals, humanitarian agencies and the private sector to continue discharging its core mandates. He thus solicited the continued support of well-meaning parastatal and individuals poised to effect positive changes in the society, to partner with CYDPAN to be able to reach out to as many needy persons as possible, in order to collectively accomplish the greater good of empowerment and poverty alleviation.

Training the students on the imports of puberty and what to expect, a senior nursing officer (Patience John), who herself is also an intricate part of the CYDPAN team, guided the students through topics in puberty ranging from its correct definition, the general changes that occur during puberty, the importance of maintaining good hygiene as well as boosting their confidence to participate, wherever subjects of puberty and the likes are up for discussion.

Later in his remarks, the vice principal Academic of CCSS, (Mr. Thompson), applauded the CYDPAN team for the initiative, and prayed for them to have at their disposal needed funds to continue reaching out to communities and schools in need of their selfless services. The students themselves were also on hand to show gratitude through various renditions, recitals and applauds.

CYDPAN team has drawn up plans to, within the next couple of weeks, reach out to no less than (Four schools) in each senatorial district of Akwa Ibom state, in continuation of the outreach, sensitisation and empowerment of boys and girls undergoing various stages of puberty. On Thursday 3^rd December 2020, the CYDPAN team will be embarking on another trip to (Community Secondary School, Ikot Inyang) Ikot Ekpene, for a similar outreach. The trip to Ikot Ekpene also hopes to accomplish more in drawing enough help and assistance for the vulnerable sects within the Akwa Ibom population of teenagers, who are in continued dire need of love and care through an exciting puberty-phase of their lives, which can however be extremely confusing, awkward, scary, and at times fatal, if not properly managed.

Indeed, CYDPAN believes it can effect the necessary and desired impact, by ensuring that young teenage girls are spared the hazards of suffering from poor menstrual hygiene. This, CYDPAN believes, is the foundation through which various infectious diseases are honed, leaving them prone to innumerable health hazards and complications, which invariably affect their academic programmes, and in turn, incumber their bright future.

The lives of young female students of Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron was steered positively when the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN), equipped them with leadership skills on May 21st.

The programme, ‘SHE CAN DO IT’ – is a leadership programme targeted at empowering and preparing young girls in secondary schools as future leaders.

Addressing the students, CYDPAN’s director, Mr Robert Boniface intimated that the outreach was carefully planned to prepare the students not just for academic exercises but to equip them with the necessary leadership skills that will aid in the realization of their life’s goals.

The director hinted that CYDPAN was keenly interested in youth development and empowerment through creation of educational programmes for young people at secondary levels, hence the reason for the outreach.

Delivering a talk on ”SHE CAN DO IT’, the facilitator, Ms Uduak-abasi Okon in her expose shared real life stories of exceptional women like Ibikun Awosika, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and how they strived excellently to become enviable leaders in their professions.

Breaking the lesson into a simple form, Ms Okon explained that for girls to become celebrated leaders in the future, they must have a dream; a personal mental picture of what they want their tomorrow to look like.

The facilitator noted that as potential leaders, the knowledge of their personal dreams will help inspire and guide them to do the right thing and at the right time.

She emphasized that they can also become celebrated leaders in the future but these attainment depended on their daily activities, maintaining that girls can do and become professionals in every field if they work hard and believed in themselves.

Highlighting some valid points that makes a girl child a good leader, the facilitator stated that every girl child must learn to love herself, have a personal self-belief, lead herself, take corrections, ability to make right choices, have self control and discipline.

On the habit every girl child must possess to become a star, Mrs Okon stressed that they must cultivate the habit of reading, listening, thinking, stewardship, as this habits will help arm them with the right information and skills needed to become successful women leaders in the future.

On the attributes of a good leader, she pointed out that a leader is someone who is teachable, acknowledges the contribution of others, appreciates others, and has standard and boundaries in life.

Also, while encouraging the students to discover and develop their talents, she explained that talents are seed of greatness deposited into every girl by God and must be maximized for full actualization.

On the don’t of a leader, the facilitator explained that a leader must not keep grudges, rebel against constituted authority, must not cover up or instigate evil and cheat.

Shortly after the session, two copies of All Inclusive Calculations in Physics for Senior Secondary Schools by Solomon Dauda Yakwo was donated by CYDPAN to the school library.

Receiving the books on behalf of the Principal, Mrs Hannah Okokon Ante thanked CYDPAN for the mind-blowing session and for choosing to equip the girls with leadership knowledge and skills.

Mrs Ante while commending the effort, said the lesson was impactful and will serve as a character moulder and boost to the girls as they continue to pursue their dreams. She expressed joy at the gesture and prayed more blessings on CYDPAN.

In the euphoria of the 2021 Children’s day celebration, the Centre for Young Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative CYDPAN, joined the world over to mark the day.

To mark the day, CYDPAN took to strategic locations in Akwa Ibom State to celebrate with kids and students within and outside the school walls.

At Ibom hall ground where the children’s day celebration took place, CYDPAN led by its Executive Director, Mr Robert Boniface, wife, Mrs Gladys Robert and other team members spoke with students from different schools.

The schools CYDPAN spoke with were; Scripture Union Secondary School, RayField Secondary School and Pinnacle Nursery/Primary School, Uyo.

Speaking to the students separately, CYDPAN Director explained thoroughly the uniqueness of the day and why the world set aside the day to celebrate children all over the world.

While educating the students on the importance of the day, Mr Boniface told them that they were special breeds created in the awesomeness of God; a perfect replica and torchbearer of our society, therefore they needed to live optimally to fulfil that purpose.

He stressed that as an NGO, CYDPAN will continue to spotlight issues that hinder children from achieving their dream while providing and advocating for a better society for them to thrive.

In her charge, Mrs Glady Boniface explained to the students that, as valuable assets of the society, they should remain resolute and dedicated even as they pursue their academic dreams.

She noted that the happiness and hope children bring to the world was unimaginable, adding that they should never forget hey are loved and appreciated by the world.

Shortly after the charge were handed down by the CYDPAN Directors, the students from the different schools took snapshots with heart warming and expressive warming placards.

The team also made a stop over at Ibom recreational centre popularly known as Ibom Plaza to mark the day with street kids.

At Ibom plaza, the team was greeted with excitement from some of the street kids who posed for a snapshot with the team.

The team took time to cheer the children by encouraging them not to be limited by their present environment, reaffirming that they can be more in the society if they push hard.

While basking in the euphoria of the day, the team ran into a young girl named Esther, fufu hawker who upon interaction expressly told the team that she can’t pose for a snapshot because she’s not ‘beautiful’.

With a sober expression on her face, Esther turned the team down still insisting she wasn’t fit to be captured in the photo session or to celebrate the day.

The decision which aroused the interest of the team, had the CYDPAN directors swooping in to disabuse her mind.

The CYDPAN directors with words laced with hope and prayer shared touching stories of people who came from humble beginning like her and how they overcame the hurdle to be celebrated today.

After a thought and mind provoking session, Esther obliged and took snapshot with the team to mark the day.

Meanwhile, the day’s celebration was rounded off with cash gifts to some of the street kids.

#cypdanchildrendayouting #2021childrensday

A recent publication by nairametrics.com reveals that the population of unemployed youths in Nigeria were more than the total population of Rwanda and other African countries. The publication revealed that young Nigerians between the ages of 15-24years especially girls struggled to get employment or were unemployed.

Also, a labour force report released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), revealed that “in 2021, the unemployment rate in Nigeria is estimated to reach 32.5 percent. This figure is projected to increase further in 2022.”

The report suggested that the high youth unemployment rate was a contributing factor to the increasing cause of crime, poverty and insecurity in the country and if nothing was done about, then the country was sitting on a ticking time bomb.

Building on the above highlighted problem in the country, the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation, CYDPAN, in partnership with Favanth Collection, Angel’s Mind Fashion School; Michelle Cakes and Snacks and Sunshine Makeup Artistry sealed a harmonious collaboration to train and equip young women in Akwa Ibom State with up-to-date skills.

The training initiated by CYDPAN, a Non-governmental organization with keen interest in creating opportunity for the development of young people through education, health and skill acquisition kicked off three months ago, precisely February, 2021, to train interested young women in the state with skills that will not only put food on their tables but will help turn them into employers of labour.

The training which was categorised into; Fashion Designing, Catering and Event Management, Cosmetology has had the first set of trainees fully trained with hands-on-skill.

In the fashion designing category, eight young women were registered for the training free, with the training fee paid by CYDPAN. Currently, five other young women are still undergoing training by Favanth collection while three others are receiving training from Angel’s Mind Fashion School.

The first set of the trainees (5 ladies), who were registered for catering and event management have graduated and are already practicing independently with laudable testimonies from clients. While the new four in-take in the same category started the training on Friday, 23rd April.

In the cosmetology category, three young women who were registered for the training graduated while the remaining trainees were at the rounding off stage of the training.

It is believed that the training by CYDPAN and all the partners will go a long way to breach the unemployment gap in the country and state, and help raise independent women who can fend for themselves and raise other people, this, the Executive Director of CYDPAN, Mr Robert Boniface made known.

Giving a brief synopsis of why CYDPAN embarked on the movement of gainfully impacting hands-on skills to young people in the state, Mr Boniface noted that the organization was passionately compelled by the widening gap of social vices among young people particularly women who were falling prey to immaterial wants, to provide these young women the choice of financial and mental freedom.

CYDPAN boss noted that the goal of the organization spans from mental orientation, mental development to helping young people discover and harness their capacity so that the tide of youthful indolence, restiveness and social vices can be curbed while raising a confident and resilient Nigerian youth.

He disclosed that CYDPAN takes pride in providing adequate information, resources to trainees under them in a strategic way that leave trainees fully empowered and alleviated during and after the training.

Meanwhile, apart from the skill acquisition programme, CYDPAN has other lined up thought-out programmes which is intended to target rural people and students at the secondary school level.

The drive by CYDPAN is strategically and deliberately planned and is coming at a time the world is grappling to settle in from the hit of COVID-19 and other economic drawbacks faced in the country.

With the core vision of CYDPAN in place, the poverty and skill acquisition programme is expected to translate to the breaching and closure of more than 1000 unemployed gaps in the state and rise of more agile and independent young entrepreneurs with functional businesses in the state.