Group unveils 150 virgins to boost good morals

Virgins

A non-governmental organisation, VirginsBride Network, unveiled about 150 maidens on Friday in Lagos to encourage the virtue of sexual purity among females in the country.

The girls, who were dressed in white gowns as evidence of their chastity, also took a pledge to remain undefiled till marriage.

Parents were encouraged to safeguard their daughters from corrupting influences.

Convener of the event, Mrs. Nkechi Odebiyi, told the gathering that the girls were selected based on their status as virgins. She said the project, which was in its fifth year, had influenced more young females to see virginity as a virtue.

She said, “There is no religion that supports sex before marriage. I wish I had that privilege; it was a virtue I lost early in life. I want every maiden to carry herself with pride. When you are a virgin, you are not afraid of disease, unwanted pregnancy, or abortion and your husband will respect you.”

She explained that the network, with the motto, ‘No ring, no sex,’ focused on restoring the pride of womanhood and building strong family ties through teaching and counseling.

One of the participants, Demehin Funmilayo, said she had been keeping her virginity through sheer determination and the help of God.

The 20-year-old said she was almost a victim of rape when she did not succumb to pressure from her friends to have a boyfriend.

She said, “I was almost raped in SS 2 when my best friend asked for my picture. She later took me to see a guy who said I was beautiful. I quickly ran away when I saw the suspicious moves he was making. I fought with my friend and told her I had chosen to be a virgin till I get married, which shocked her.”

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She said her parents had been helping her to overcome challenges she had faced in her bid to remain chaste.

A parent, Mrs. Morenike Durotoye, who commended the initiative, said she also married as a virgin.

She said it was the duty of parents to protect their children from the bad elements of society.

She said, “It is important for parents to always show care and concern for their girls. You need to listen to them, get closer to them no matter your schedule. Love them, protect them and let them trust you.

“It is a parent that places value on virginity that will encourage it. It was my husband who deflowered me on my wedding night and when he saw I was a virgin, he was happy, and up till today, he respects me for that. That is the reason I encourage my daughter who is also here.”

A family life counsellor, Mrs. Florence Udu told our correspondent that many young girls fell for sexual pressure because they sought to be loved and cared for.

She advised young girls, who had lost their virginity, to practice secondary virginity by making up their minds to start staying off sex.

She said, “The guys will always come and make advances. Our girls fall because they are made to feel they are old-fashioned. But that is not true. The best thing a lady can keep is her virginity.”

Pastor Moji Awokoya, who represented Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, urged the participants to avoid giving in to distraction so they can be useful members of society.