By Oyem Jonathan
The Executive Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, has called on parents to rise to their sacred duty of nurturing and guiding their daughters with wisdom, discipline and faith, stressing that the destiny of every society is largely shaped by how it treats and trains the girl child.
Chukwunwike made the appeal in a goodwill message to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2025, celebrated under the theme: “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontline of Change and Crisis.”
The Council Chairman urged parents not to abdicate their God-given responsibilities but to become active builders of a generation of girls who are academically sound, morally upright, and purpose-driven. According to him, “A peaceful and decent tomorrow at the family level begins with the kind of girls we groom today. Parents must teach them the art of decent living, the virtue of hard work, and the dignity that comes with self-respect.”
Executive Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government.
He warned against the dangers of improper dressing and moral laxity among young girls, noting that such habits expose them to predators and social vices. “We cannot close our eyes to the increasing heap of moral decay in society. Our collective duty is to counsel, correct, and guide our daughters to become useful assets to society and not victims of misplaced priorities,” he stated.
Hon. Chukwunwike further lamented the rising indulgence of some young girls in risky lifestyles; ranging from drug abuse and prostitution to human trafficking and pornography, emphasizing that strong parental guidance, mentorship, and faith-based counseling remain effective tools to stem the tide of moral erosion.
He highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 4 (Quality Education), as clear indicators of global commitment toward ensuring that every girl child is empowered to learn, lead, and live free from discrimination or fear.
“As a government,” he assured, “we will continue to partner with relevant organizations and civil society groups to promote gender equality, empower our girls, and create more avenues for their inclusion in governance. When we empower a girl, we empower a generation.”
Chukwunwike urged parents, teachers, and faith leaders to “recommit to the noble task of raising disciplined, visionary, and Godly daughters who will one day become the pillars of homes, industries, and nations.”
“The girl child is not just a daughter,” he concluded passionately. “She is the seed of tomorrow’s peace, progress, and prosperity, the torchbearer of a brighter, more balanced world.”
