As part of activities to mark the 2021 International Day of the Girl-Child, students from nine Northern states and the FCT have called on the government to bring an end to insecurity to ensure uninterrupted access to quality education in the country.
They made the call during in Abuja an interactive breakfast session with the Ministers of Women Affairs, Education, stakeholder and development partners.
While decrying the increasing cases of kidnap, banditry and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in most parts of the country, the students stressed the need for urgent adoption of strategies to curb the menace.
A student from Zamfara state Miss Maryam Ibrahim said the current insecurity experienced in the state had forced the shut down of schools and reduce the number of enrollment.
Another student from Adamawa state, Miss Dorcas Joshua, appealed to the government to focus on laudable educational projects in rural areas, promote access to quality education and digital skills as well as ensure inclusive learning for all children irrespective of gender.
Responding, Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the federal government was collaborating with state governors, security personnel and community leaders to bring an end to kidnapping, banditry and other violence, especially in schools.
The Minister of Women Affairs, while stressing the importance of girl-child education, urges the girls to strive to be educated by insisting on their rights to education which would make them less vulnerable to early marriage and all forms of Gender-Based Violence.
“With education, you can meet any challenge that comes your way and emerge victoriously. Be good ambassadors and promote the need for every child to acquire education.” She said
Mr Peter Hawkins, The Country Representative, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Peter Hawkins stressed the need for the government to sensitize communities on the value and importance of education, especially for the girl child.
According to him, access to quality education will also protect the girl-child from insecurity, early marriage and other forms of harmful practice.
Reporting by Azizatu Sani, Editing by Omotola Oguneye