HE WHO MARRIES A GIRLS BRIGADE GETS A PANADOL, TAKES A STEP TOWARDS A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE AND LIFE GENERALLY.

By Euphemia Ngozi Ejiofor

From records, the present day Girls Brigade is an amalgam of originally three (3) different, active and thriving Christian Girls organizations. The Girls Brigade of Ireland (1893), the Girls Guild of Scotland (1900) and the Girls Life Brigade of England (1902), decided to come together to form the Girls Brigade, in 1965, nearly 40 years after the idea was first muted. 

The intention of the amalgamation was to strengthen their work and witness amongst the girls, in particular, and in general, promote greater care and sharing, in the World. The aim of the Girls Brigade is to “Help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ”, and the motto is “Seek, Serve and Follow Christ”

Recently in Jos, Plateau State capital, 18^th April, 2017, to be precise, the “2^nd Plateau District” of the Girls Brigade, in a very colorful ceremony opened her 2017 Camp. The Theme “Created in Christ Jesus to do good works”, was picked from the Holy Book, the Bible, from (Eph. 2:10), for the 2017 Camp.

Speaking at the occasion, the Girls Brigade Commissioner Mrs. Vou Bitrus Choji, represented by Mrs. Afiniki informed the gathering that “He who marries a Brigade gets Panadol”.  Addressing the girls specifically, she emphasized the need for them to be interested in their growth and development, when she said:

•  Don’t forget yourself
• Don’t forget your creator and
• Don’t forget the reason of creation

On these issues, she drew the attention of the young girls on the need for them to have a personal encounter with the Lord, saying, “Without this, all is lost”.

During interview with our reporter at the event, the Commissioner’s representative was pressed further to explain what she meant by the statement “He who marries a Brigade gets Panadol”. 

In her response she made it categorically clear that “A well groomed woman is a cure to the pains of marriage, and other challenges of life, the same role Panadol plays in the life of Men/Women in terms of aches and pains”. 

Our “Girls” are well groomed, systematically guided, well behaved, structurally positioned and are strategically led, to actively play their role as alternate and worthy support to the Man”.

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The camping programme, also provided opportunity for the 2^nd Plateau District Commandant, Mrs. Christiana F.E. Sihitse, to enunciate the Vision, Mission and Principles of the Girls Brigade as follows:

Vision:

The Girls Brigade Nigeria, envisions an amiable Christian Interdenominational outreach that is self—reliant and actively involved in the holistic development of the Girls and Women.

Mission:

The Girls Brigade exists to serve God and Humanity by training girls holistically to become followers of Christ.

Principle:

The Brigade acknowledges Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord according to the Scriptures, and seek to fulfill the aim of the glory of one God, the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost.

Continuing with her address, the Commandant, speaking, specifically to the Girls, said:

“To the beautiful girls here before us, you should know that the Lord loves you and He accepts you the way you are created. You girls are special in His sight, do not allow anybody to make you feel that you are nothing in the society. You are great in the eyes of God and you are created in God’s image, to do good works”. 

The Commandant, also used the medium provided by the opening ceremony to call on the girls to be of good behavior.

“We as officers of this District, are pleading with you to obey all the rules and regulations of this camp”. She added.

One of the “2^nd Plateau District” Girls Brigade Officers at the camp Mrs. Dorcas Anakah, when asked the essence of the camp, says:

“The camping exercise offers us the golden opportunity to teach our Girls and for them to learn the principle of giving back to the society and their community; and to do these with commitment and fun, to gain leadership skills, build a network of friends and enhance their professional development.

“We do these with passion and commitment, aware of the need and desire of ages to give the girl child a voice and the confidence to excel with her family at all times”.