Governors mobilize support for Girl Child Education

The 36 governors of the Federation have approved and scheduled an international conference in Abuja to secure quality education for the girl child.

The conference coordinated by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) is also aimed at mobilising funds for the empowerment of girls.

NGF’s head of education department, Ebenezer Leo, in a statement, made it clear that the conference which would be held at the presidential villa next week, aligns with the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution 66/170, adopted on December 19, 2011, which established the International Day of the Girl Child.

The Forum said the conference reaffirms NGF’s commitment to addressing the challenges that girls face in Nigeria, particularly in education.

With the theme “Girl Child Empowerment Through Quality Education” the International Conference will launch the Girl Child Education Volunteers’ Advocates (GICEVA) initiative, a platform designed to engage volunteers in advocating for girl child education across Nigeria.”

Leo explained that “the conference will also unveil the Face of the Girl Child Ambassadors, who will represent the commitment to girl child education among corp members (NYSC) in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

“Key objectives of the conference include the official launch of GICEVA, which aims to mobilize volunteers through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Community Development Service (CDS) Groups to promote girl child enrollment in local governments across Nigeria,” Leo said.

“Additionally, the unveiling of the Face of the Girl Child Ambassadors will celebrate the academic successes of top graduates, empowering them to advocate for girls’ education in their states, with coordination provided by an overall ambassador for a one-year term.”

Leo revealed that the conference would pave the way for the signing of a Declaration by the state Commissioners of Education, affirming their commitment to support and fund girl child education in Nigeria up to the Senior Secondary School level.

The conference agenda includes presentations from development partners and donor agencies, who will discuss the current landscape of girl child education in Nigeria, highlighting trends, challenges, and potential solutions. Engaging panel discussions featuring experts, educators, and activists will explore the barriers to girl child education and the strategies needed to overcome them. Workshops and training sessions will also be conducted for GICEVA members, equipping them with essential advocacy skills.

According to the forum, “The anticipated outcomes of this conference are substantial. The establishment of GICEVA is expected to enhance advocacy efforts for girl child education, mobilizing more volunteers to engage in promoting education at the grassroots level.

“The signing of the Declaration will solidify the government’s commitment to supporting and funding girl child education initiatives.”