President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that his administration will continually pay attention to supporting, nurturing, and empowering the girl-child in Nigeria.
Tinubu dislosed this in his message on Wednesday on the commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child, posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT
On the post, the Tinubu 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 colours 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.”
Also, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said education is the weapon the girl-child in Nigeria needs to be free from discrimination and intimidation.
The First Lady stated this in statement by her spokesperson Busola Kukoyi on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Girls’ Interactive Session With Policy and Decision Makers while Commemorating the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child.
Mrs Tinubu noted that investing in the girl-child is in the best interest of the nation, adding that investing in the girl-child is in the best interest of the nation.
In the statement, she explained that the girl-child must be protected from all forms of violence with a safe and inclusive environment provided for her to thrive.
The First Lady said, “Our girls are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. It’s high time we broke 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 said.
Senator Tinubu advised Nigerians children, irrespective of their gender, to join voluntary clubs, such as Boys Scout, Girls Guide, Red Cross, among others.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, declared that Federal Government is committed to ensuring that harmful and discriminatory practices against the girl-child are eradicated.
The minister noted that it would no longer be business as usual for those who sexually assault girls as the government would prosecute such offenders.
She said the case of an eight-year-old girl allegedly abused by her stepfather had been taken up by her ministry for prosecution.
At the event, there was an interactive session with the girls at the event, which enabled the First Lady to share the government’s vision, the mission of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and her dreams for the future of Nigerian girls.
