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Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (M) joins other officials of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association to cut its 90th Anniversary cake at Queen's College, Yaba.
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) inspecting handmade dyed clothes during an Exhibition to commemo-rate 90th Anniversary of the Nigerian Girl Guides.Sep 3, 2009 - First Lady Urges Sustenance Of Girl Guiding In Girls
As the Nigerian Girl Guides Association celebrates its 90th anniversary, the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has called on the Association to do everything in its power to sustain the interest of young girls in the association.
The First Lady, who spoke at the Merit Award ceremony marking the anniversary in Lagos, said such sustenance would enable girls and young women develop their fullest potentials as responsible citizens of the world.
Recalling her days as a young member, Mrs. Fashola said the celebration of the 90th anniversary of brought back sweet memories of adventure, exposure to leadership skills, discipline, spirit of unity, community service among others, adding, “We remember these past times with great reminiscence in acknowledgement of the valuable role guiding have played in our lives and how all the teachings and trainings have helped in giving us the strength and stability to cope with life challenges especially as women”.
The First Lady saluted the vision and courage of the founders of the association who, according to her, gave it a good foundation upon which it has survived the challenges of development, growth, relevance and sustenance in upholding their vision.
“It has indeed been a long and happy journey which we are proud to say started here in Lagos at the Methodist Girls High School in 1919”, Mrs. Fashola said. She, however, queried, “As we celebrate 90 years of existence, we need to ask, how much of this legacy are we passing on to the younger generations? How can we encourage and sustain the interest of young girls in guiding?” adding, “These, I believe constitute the main challenges of girl guiding in the 21st century”.
The First Lady commended the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for re-launching voluntary organizations in public schools, adding, “Today in Lagos State, pupils and students in public schools are encouraged and motivated to belong to any voluntary organizations of their choice including Girl Guides Association.
Congratulating the Association’s President, Mrs. Adefemi Taire, the Chief Commissioner and the entire members of the Association “on this occasion marking the 90th anniversary of this association”, the First Lady declared, “As an association, we need to do more in the area of encouraging more of our girls into the fold so that the lofty ideals of guiding can be impacted on them for a better tomorrow”.