The Association of Old Boys and Girls Secondary Schools 1983 Set in Rivers State has commemorated the 2024 Day of the African Child with a call on young students to embrace their studies and shun all forms of social vices.

Giving his opening remarks at the event, which held at Government Technical College (GTC), Trans- Amadi in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, President of the association, Tubokomba Harry stated the need for excellence among the students.

Harry opined that the celebration of the Day of the African Child aims at highlighting the needs and challenges African children face and how to surmount them, saying that the African Child is imbued with lots of talents and that Education is key in harnessing these talents for them to become useful in society.

The Association’s President further stated that Education helps to shape and bring out the best in human beings, urging the students to be studious and obedient to their parents and teachers.

He cited the cases of Bill Gates and other gifted personalities who ensured that their talents were used to improve the society and challenged the students to aspire to make names for themselves and stand out.

Speaking on the topic, “African Child and Drug Abuse”, Alfred Esedah, a medical doctor, warned the students on the consequences of using illicit drugs, advising them to avoid friends and peers who could influence them to take drugs, as this could affect their mental state, studies, and ruin their future.

On his part, another speaker, Godwill Iboroma, speaking on the dangers of cultism, cautioned the students to steer clear of groups or friends that will introduce them to activities that are not lawful, including drugs, cultism and other anti-social behaviour, reminding them that cultism often leads to criminality that will put them into trouble with the law.

A member of the association, Ngozi Ajayi, a legal practitioner, addressed specifically the female students of the school, urging them to desist from engaging in early sex, as it could lead to teenage pregnancy, warning that once a student gets pregnant, she may drop out of school, and that may affect her future.

“In most cases, it’s the girls that are worse off, because the boys may go to another school or deny the pregnancy,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Principal of Government Technical College (GTC), Trans- Amadi in Port Harcourt LGA, Augusta Ojimah, who was represented at the occasion by the Vice Principal, Administration, Daniel Anike commended the Rivers Secondary Schools Old Boys and Girls Association 1983 Set for organizing the program.

She said it was an honour to select GTC among other prominent schools in the city for such an enlightening lecture as she expressed appreciation and prayed for the growth of the association.

Also commending the effort of the association, a teacher, Nkeiruka Ebejuo, said she was elated on the gesture, which in her view will motivate the students and boost their morale.

Ms. Ebejuo, however, said more of such efforts is needed especially in providing scholarships and other educational materials to support students.

Some students who spoke to Kristina Reports expressed happiness over what they learnt at the event.

One of them, Miracle Amos, promised to utilize what he learnt to better his future, while commending the organisers.

Similarly, a female student, Favour Barida, said she learnt a lot from the talk shows, especially in the area of teenage pregnancy and grooming for young girls.

In her reaction, Secretary General of the association, Ibinabo Ogolo, PhD said the Day of the African Child is significant and that this year’s theme,” Education for all African Children: The Time is now” calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to improve the condition of the African Child educationally.

Dr. Ogolo stated that the event also forms part of the body’s quest to publicise its activities and encourage membership among old students of 1983 sets across the state, assuring that in the coming months, the body will expand its scope and reach out to various sectors of society.

The association later presented writing materials and other stationaries to the school as part of the event.