By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Zamfara State chapter, has sensitised students and pupils in the state on the importance of girl child education to commemorate the 2024 International Day for Girl Child.
The event which took place at the Government Girls Day Secondary School (GGDSS) Tudun Wada, Gusau and Girl’s Focal Primary School Gusau was to commemorate the International Day for Girl Child.
The theme of the event was, “Girl’s Vision for the Future”.
The sensitisation held in collaboration with the Civil Society Organization, Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) and state office of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Additional Financing (AGILE-AF) project.
Speaking at the sensitisation exercise in Gusau on Friday, the State NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajiya Jamila Musa Kanoma said the event was aim to raised awareness of adolescent girls and pupils in the state on the importance of girl child education.
“You know, when you educate a woman is like you educate the whole society.
“Giving girls a right to education she would be able to know the right the wrongs in the society.
“Part of the activities of commemorating this day, the State NAWOJ chapter will sponsor the enrollment of 10 vulnerable girl children for primary and secondary schools,” Kanoma explained.
She commended state government, AGILE project, other supporting partners and donors as well as NGOs, CSOs for working towards promoting girl child education in the state.
“As Women Journalists, we are beneficiaries of girl child education, we are ever ready to partner with all stakeholders towards educating our younger ones.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator, AGILE project, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau said the state government is highly committed to increase girl child enrollment in to schools.
“The state government through the World Bank intervention AGILE-AF project is targeting to enroll thousands of adolescent out-of-school girls through the project.
“We have to educate our girls children,
education offers girls the necessary skills and information needed to excel in a chosen career of their future,” Abdu Gusau said.
She noted that a girl who is educated can grow to become a professional teacher, architect, doctor, computer scientist, lawyer and pharmacist among other profession
Also speaking, the Executive Director, VAI Musa Umar Aboki commended NAWOJ for working to promote future of girls children.
Aboki noted that education as a key for development, “therefore our children especially the girl child shouldn’t be left behind”.
He called on parents to monitor education and behaviors of their children in both school and at homes.
In their separate remarks, the Principal of the GGDSS Tudun Wada, Hajiya Zainab Isah Ibrahim and Head Teacher, Girls Focal Primary School, Sadiya Umar commended NAWOJ for selecting their schools to conduct the exercise.