Tinubu: Government Will Continue to Nurture, Support, Empower Girl-child

•Education is weapon needed by girl-child to overcome discrimination, says First Lady 

•Girls’ education will boost Nigeria’s development, Lawan declares  

•Foundation offers N2m scholarship to girls in Abuja slum community

Deji Elumoye, Emmanuel Addeh, Sunday Aborisade  in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has given an assurance that his government would continue paying attention to supporting, nurturing and empowering the girl-child in the country.

The president gave the assurance yesterday, in his message to commemorate 2023 International Day of the Girl-child, posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT.

Tinubu, according to the post, said, “she is not merely a gem; she is a treasure, a beacon of hope and resilience.

“The girl child is destined to grow into anything she dreams of, adding vibrant colors to our world.

“We are committed to nurturing, supporting, and empowering every girl, providing her with the opportunities she deserves. Let’s create a world where every girl’s potential is realised and celebrated.

“Happy International Day of the Girl Child,” the president wrote.

On her part, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said education was the weapon needed to give the girl child in Nigeria her freedom from discrimination and intimidation.

Mrs Tinubu spoke yesterday, at the National Girls Interactive Session with Policy and Decision Makers to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja

According to a statement issued by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady also said investing in the girl child was in the best interest of the nation.

She noted that the girl child must be protected from all forms of violence with a safe and inclusive environment provided for them to thrive.

According to Mrs Tinubu: “Our girls are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. It’s high time we break down barriers that have held them back for long. Education is the key weapon that we must use to ensure that every girl is free from discrimination and intimidation.

“This is one of the reasons I have taken it as a priority to encourage the girl child so she can achieve her potentials. Under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), we are looking at promoting alternative high school for girls so that despite whatever misadventure they find themselves, they can still acquire education that could give them access to higher education. I urge all well meaning Nigerian to help show the girl child that there is a good way”.

She also advised the girls and boys present to join voluntary clubs such as Boys Scout, Girls Guide, Red Cross, among others.

In her remarks at the event, Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, noted that the federal government is now more committed to ensuring that harmful and discriminatory practices against the girl child are totally eliminated.

She added that it is no more business as usual for those who sexually assault girls as government will prosecute such offenders pointing out that the case of the eight year- old girl allegedly abused by her step father has been taken up by her Ministry for prosecution.

There was an interactive session with the girls which was an opportunity for the First Lady to share some of government’s vision, the mission of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI ) and also her dreams for the future of the Nigerian girl.

The 2023 International Day of the Girl Child has as theme “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership & Our Well-being”. 

Also yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,  reiterated the commitment of the federal government to upholding the protection, education and empowerment of the girl child in Nigeria.

The presidential aide gave the assurance in a statement released in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child in the country .

Orelope-Adefulire underscored the importance of the day, stating that the future remains bright when girls are empowered. “Let’s work together to break down barriers and create a world where every girl can thrive,” she stressed.

In line with the commitment, she noted that the federal government had implemented a range of measures to actualise the rights, protection, education, and empowerment of the girl child.

“The government is determined to eliminate all forms of challenges that prevent the girl child from accessing quality education. This includes initiatives to address issues like early marriage, gender-based violence, and discrimination against girls.

“Today, we reaffirm our dedication to the rights of every girl in Nigeria. We are committed to ensuring their access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment that nurtures their aspirations,” Orelope-Adefulire affirmed.

The celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child she said,  serves as a reminder of the immense potential that lies within every girl and underscores the collective responsibility to remove the obstacles that hinder their progress.

“Girls can and will change the world. Let’s support, educate, and empower them, for they are the future leaders who will bring positive change to Nigeria and the world,” the presidential aide added.

On the day of the girl child, she noted that the SDGs office will continue to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of girls, while recommitting to the pursuit of a brighter, more equitable future where every girl can thrive in the country.

“The government’s promise to protect and empower girls remains steadfast, and it echoes the universal belief that empowering girls is essential for building a better world,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has said investing in girls’ education would boost the nation’s development and progress.

Lawan stated this yesterday, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.

According to the lawmaker, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, educating the girl child provides the platform for her to be an advocate and catalyst for positive change.

He enjoined Nigerians to reject harmful stereotypes that holds girls back, noting that they deserve to grow up in world that supports them without the barriers of discrimination.

Lawan said, “Today, we celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and potential of girls all around the world. It is a day to recognise the importance of empowering girls and ensuring they have equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities.

“Girls are the future leaders, change-makers, and innovators of our society. They deserve to grow up in a world that supports and nurtures their dreams, enabling them to reach their full potential without any barriers or discrimination.

“On this day, let us commit ourselves to championing gender equality and dismantling the harmful stereotypes that hold girls back. Let us encourage their ambitions, nurture their talents, and provide them with the tools they need to shine.

“By investing in girls’ education, we not only empower individuals but also boost the development and progress of Nigeria. When girls are educated, they become powerful advocates for change, breaking the cycle of poverty and contributing to a more just and equitable world.

Also, a non-governmental organisation, Girls Beyond Reach Foundation popularly known as Daddys Girls has offered scholarships to girls resident in Angwan-Shao, Karimo, a slum in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the Foundation, a total of N2 million in educational scholarships was awarded to these deserving candidates, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and overcome the socio-economic challenges that often hinder their progress.

The Foundation quoting UNICEF noted that out of over 10 million children in Nigeria who were out of school, 60 per cent of them were girls.

The scholarship program, which spans over four years, would cover the tuition fees. This holistic approach ensures that the selected students can fully focus on their studies without the financial burden that so often plagues students from low-income backgrounds.

Explaining the modus operandi of the scholarship, the Director of Finance of the Foundation, Mrs Olamide Afolabi, noted that each girl is awarded N150,000 per session over a period of four to five years depending on their course of study.

Afolabi said, “We have seen a gap in the education of the girl-child and we are doing our best to fill up that gap.

“The scholarship is offered to three girls in Karimo, Abuja for now because that is how much money we can afford, we wouldn’t like to drop some along the way because of funds.

“Three of the girls would get N150,000 per session and it would run for four years or five years based on their course of study.

Earlier, the Director of Operations for the Foundation, Miss Temitope Omogbolagun explained that the scholarship was pursuant to the Foundation’s commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

She said, “According to UNICEF, in Nigeria, out of over 10 million children in Nigeria who are out of school, 60 percent of them are girls. This is the gap we are looking forward to bridge.

“Beyond that, we believe that education is the cornerstone of a brighter future. By investing in these girls, we are not only transforming their lives but also contributing to the progress of our society as a whole.”

The Director of Operations further emphasised the foundation’s mission to uplift disadvantaged communities.