The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has urged Nigerian girls to speak with one voice against Gender-Based Violence and social injustice.
The Acting Secretary FCTA, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Dr Kevin Ike, gave the advice at the commemoration of the 2021 International Day of the Girl-Child, organised by the Helpline Foundation For The Needy, on Monday in Abuja.
The Acting Secretary who was represented by the Head, Revenue Unit of SDS, Malam Muktair Mohammed, said there was so much suspicious in the air and “No gainsaying that the older generation has failed.”
Mr Ike enjoined the girls’ parliamentarians to explore and find positive use of social media and the internet to get their voice heard and always make their point.
“Use social media and internet to champion the cause of the girl child unto her liberation, protection and achievement of her full potential.
“Use it in addressing domestic violence whenever you see one and so make your neighbourhood saner than you met it.
“There is a place in the history of mankind for you to make great marks before leaving planet earth; do not, therefore, take it lightly,” Ike said.
The founder and President, Helpline Foundation For The Needy, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said “We advocate that the foundation of building a generation of strong, dependable, strong-willed and innovative women, be laid from now in the hearts of young girls.
“We should be mindful of the fact that we all have a role to play in the physical and mental development of our girls if they must grow up to be strong women.
“If we want them to be able to stand up and speak up for themselves in the face of bullies, sexual opportunists, teacher-female student oppression and other environmental challenges as the girl child is prone to face.
“We at the helpline foundation recognize this and have taken it upon ourselves to bring them out in a forum like this periodically for them to meet with accomplished women from all fields to inspire them.”
Also, the outgoing Speaker of the girls’ parliament, Cynthia Odoh, urged girls to be agents of change wherever they find themselves, saying “There is a leader in every one of us, do the little you can to bring the change you want.”
PIAK
