President Bola Tinubu has given an assurance that his government will continue paying attention to supporting, nurturing and empowering the girl-child in the country.
The President gave the assurance on Wednesday in his message to commemorate 2023 International Day of the Girl-child, posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT.
President 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 realized and celebrated.
“Happy International Day of the Girl Child”, the President said.
On her part, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said education is the weapon needed to give the girl child in Nigeria her freedom from discrimination and intimidation.
Mrs Tinubu spoke Wednesday 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 is 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”.