Protection Of Girl Child Rights Strategic for Nigeria’s Development – Minister

The Minister of State for Education in Nigeria, Tanko Sununu has expressed the government’s commitment to invest more in the protection of the rights of the girl child as it is strategic for the nation’s progress and development.

Sununu stated this at an event to mark the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child held in Abuja, Nigeria with the theme: ” Invest in Girl’s Rights: Our Leadership and Well-being,”

He said; “it is only when the rights of girls are protected that they can achieve their full potential.

“Our commitment to the girl child’s welfare and development is unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian girl has the opportunity to realize her full potential,”

The Minister said that “the government has initiated many programmes and projects to improve the life and rights of the girl child in Nigeria among which is the World Bank’s $500 million loan Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), which has reached millions of girls across the country, providing them with education and life skills as well as the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project (ANRiN) for quality nutrition among adolescent girls and others.”

“These initiatives, along with others including the Safe School Initiative, are a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every girl child in Nigeria has the opportunity to fulfill her potential, receive quality education, and lead a healthy life.

“We believe that investing in our girls is not just a matter of social justice but also a strategic imperative for our nation’s progress and development.

“The girl child is not just a symbol of hope but a driving force for a brighter and more equitable future. On this International Day for the Girl Child, let us pledge to stand by her side, protect her rights, and empower her to reach her full potential.

“Together, we can build a world where every girl has the opportunity to shine, and in doing so, we will create a better world for all,”he said.

Sununu said government is fully aware of the many challenges that girls have faced throughout history including Discrimination, violence, limited access to education healthcare, and unequal opportunities, which have marred their path.

“However, it is essential to acknowledge that girls have continually displayed resilience, determination, and the capacity to overcome adversity,” he said.

Dr. Quentin Wodon of the UNESCO in a remark urged the Nigerian government to as part of encouraging the girl child in school enrolment increase more numbers of women as Teachers and Principals in schools to serve as role models as research have proven.

The World Bank representative at the event, Aish Garba also tasked stakeholders to improve the girl child asses to education by building more schools in rural areas that are close to them, stressing that “this will prevent them from fears of attacks.

Mercy Chukwudiebere