AMBASSADOR of Denmark to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, has underscored the need to promote equal access to education for both boys and girls, describing it as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Speaking yesterday when he visited the KNOSK N100-a-day Charity Secondary School, Kuje Abuja, Hansen noted that when children are given the same opportunities to learn and grow, societies are better positioned to unlock their full human potential.

According to the Danish envoy, education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Addressing the students, he said: “It’s true that in my country, as well as in your country, sometimes girls are not offered the same opportunities as boys, but that’s a huge mistake. Every boy, every girl, every woman, every man, they have something to give and something to build on, and so much potential.

So, we should put all our effort into it. No society can take off if it doesn’t educate its boys and its girls.

“If you look at the statistics, you can see that the societies in the world that are doing really well are societies that very early on realised that boys and girls and women and men should have exactly the same opportunities, exactly the same rights. Then you take everything every child has and put it into society, and society develops and gets better.

And some would also say that when you have girls and women contribute to the thinking about how society should develop, then you have some aspects also that men alone don’t bring to the table.”

The diplomat also shared a personal experience growing up in a household where both his parents were his teachers in school. He explained that his parents instilled in him the belief that every child deserves the same encouragement and support to discover their talents and pursue their dreams.

He urged the students to take their education seriously, remain curious, ambitious, and see themselves as future leaders capable of driving positive change in their communities.

He reaffirmed Denmark’s support for initiatives that promote access to quality education, gender equality and youth development, stressing that investing in education today is an investment in a more prosperous, peaceful and inclusive future for Nigeria and the global community.

In separate remarks, the school’s co-founders, Kingsley and Irene Bangwell, encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies while also developing strong character and leadership qualities.