The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on the general public to equip the girl child with quality education to help them withstand societal challenges.
The First Lady gave this advice on Wednesday at the Maryam Babangida Women Development Centre on the commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, themed “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership and Our Well-Being.”
She stated that the day provided an opportunity for people to reflect on the challenges faced by girls in the country and to also celebrate their remarkable potential and resilience.
She added that she was inspired by the significance of the occasion both on a global scale and within the rich tapestry of the Nigerian context.
According to Tinubu,It is disheartening to acknowledge that many Nigerian girls still face discrimination, violence, and limited access to education and health care; we must confront these issues by striving for a better, more equitable future for our daughters.
“They are the leaders of today; therefore, it is high time we broke down the barriers that have held them back for long, and education is the key weapon that we must use to ensure that every girl is free from discrimination and intimidation.
“Education, in particular, is a cornerstone of empowerment, and we must ensure that every girl has the chance to learn and grow. Empowering them with knowledge is investing in our nation’s future.’’
She urged the public to ensure that every girl had access to quality education in order to help set them free from any form of religious, cultural, or traditional discrimination.
Furthermore, she encouraged the adults to protect the girls from all forms of violence, adding that it is the collective duty of people to create a safe and inclusive environment for girls to thrive.
Tinubu reiterated that she has prioritized girl-child issues under her NGO, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), to encourage the girl-child to achieve her potential and attain higher positions.
“We are looking at promoting alternative high schools for girls so that, irrespective of whatever misadventure they find themselves in, they can still acquire education that could give them access to higher education.
“I urge all well-meaning Nigerians to help show the girl child that there is a good way, a better way. Some of these are: ensuring access to quality education; and promoting health and well-being.
“Also, end gender-based violence, e.g., child labour, child trafficking, and child sex workers like baby factories; educate girls to speak out; and promote mentorship and role models that can encourage them to find their voices.’’
Acknowledging that the girl child was the change-maker, the innovator, and the dreamer who, if given the chance, would reshape the world positively, Tinubu encouraged all Nigerian children, especially the girls, to dream big and positively, “because the dream will keep you alive and keep you going”.
