Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, have condemned the growing spate of child labour and sexual assault on children in the country.
While the speaker also decried the high rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria, his deputy spoke of the need to educate the girl child, saying doing so will encourage the Girl-child and open them up to more opportunities in the social space.
In a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the speaker said it would be to the benefit of the nation for the governments at all levels to make education, especially at the elementary level free and compulsory for children.
The speaker said as the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child today, all stakeholders have a role to play in their education, growth, and welfare.
While noting that the responsibility of educating the girl child starts with the parents, especially with the moral upbringing of the girl child, Speaker Abbas said the society must collectively ensure their safety and education.
The speaker said further that the educational, religious, and traditional institutions, as well as the government, have their complementary roles in the protection, nurturing, and mental development of the girl child, and all children alike.
He restated the readiness of the 10th House to give legislative backing to any programme or policy designed towards the wellbeing of not just the girl child but all children across the country.
On his part, the deputy speaker called for investment in the girl-child, saying that it would increase the visibility of the female gender in the political space and aid Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
In a statement by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, the deputy speaker, said the day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that girls face around the world, such as child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination.
According to him, this year’s day of the Girl-child theme, “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our leadership, our well-being” is apt and timely as investment in girls upholds their rights and assures a more equitable and successful future.
Kalu recalled a recent visit from the Female Student Vanguard for Girl Child Education in Nigeria from Kano State, during which he expressed concern over the rising number of uneducated girl-child and pledged his support to reduce the issue to the barest minimum.
While urging the global community and relevant stakeholders to invest in the actions needed to make changes that could empower girls, the Deputy Speaker said education for the girl-child is education for the society.
He assured that the parliament will use legislative instruments to ensure that the resources necessary to invest in girls are provided for.
