President of All Nations Arise Manifest (ANAM), Tessy Aniesi has pledged to intensify her crusade against underage marriage and other associated cultural practices in Umuenwelum and Anam in Anambra West Local Government area of Anambra state.

She also promised to increase her campaign for Girl and Boy Child Education as well as to raise more girls and women who must continue good work she was doing.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award of ‘Outstanding Woman in Community Development Service’ by the Umuenwelum Anam Development Union, Lagos Branch, Tessy, as she is fondly called, expressed joy for being recognised by her community.

She said she dedicated the award to Anam girls and their counterparts across Igboland battling against socio-cultural and economic prejudices to achieve their dreams in life.

She said, “First of all, I’m dedicating this award to Anam girls. It’s not easy to overcome the odds stacked against you as a girl child and achieve your dreams in life. However, I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing and how our women are breaking barriers. That gives me great joy and motivation to continue this movement.

“I’m also dedicating this award to my late father, and first teacher, Mr. Okeke Aniesi for believing in me so early and encouraging me to defend vulnerable girls at an early stage. He believed there must be something special about my fight with boys when a girl child is helplessly vulnerable.

“Members of the Anam Transformation Movement also share in this because I couldn’t have done it alone, as well as those who support our movement because 70 percent of our project funds come from donors.

“I’ll treasure this award so much and promise to do exactly what I was billed to do while receiving this award which is to continue and intensify the crusade against underage marriage.

“I’ll also continue campaign for Girl Child and Boy Child Education which I’ve been doing, and to raise up more girls and women who must continue from this good work, promising that we will deliver as charged.” (Daily Independent)

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