The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Sports has raised alarm over the high rate of teenage pregnancies pervading the land, calling on concerned stakeholders to act urgently to save the girl child, especially, the teenagers from the associated risks.

Sirawoo, who made this call on Saturday, June 4, 2022, during the annual Pentecost Week of the St. Luke’s Christ Army Church Nigeria (CACN), Kono Town in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, condemned in strong terms the high rate of moral profligacy and sexual abuse amongst youths in the society.

Calling on the church to champion the crusade against this ugly trend, the Permanent Secretary, who expressed sadness over tragedy of young, unmarried girls having to face the unpleasant consequences of unplanned pregnancies, urged the church to be vigorous in not only condemning the act but sensitizing young girls about the stigma children born outside wedlock have to face in the society.

Sirawoo, who is also the National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), warned that available statistics show that early and unplanned pregnancies have resulted in the deaths of young, unmarried girls, describing it as a dangerous trend which has largely contributed to the high rate of social vices amongst youths due to lack of proper care of the children born therefrom.

Lamenting that, in most cases, these impacted teenage girls and young, unmarried woman hardly ascertain who are the fathers of their children, the SWAN President, who is also the Chairman of Kono Apex Development Council (KADC), regretted a situation where many of these unmarried young women and teenage girls are having children while still staying with their parents.

He warned that a stitch in time, saves nine, enjoining the church not to shirk the responsibility of enthroning an orderly society, pointing out that it remains what it owes the people.

Honour Sirawoo commended the Pastor-in-charge of St. Luke’s Christ Army Church of Nigeria, Kono Town, Pastor Jerry Needam, for the leadership, guidance and spiritual nourishment he has been providing to members of the church and his dedication and passion in the Lord’s vineyard.

Noting that “the servant of God and Publisher of National Network Newspaper, has given the church a facelift, urging him to sustain the tempo, while pledging his willingness to continue to support God’s work.