By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday, tasked the government at all levels, as well as the critical stakeholders in Nigeria, with girl children.
He also decried the high rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
In a statement to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, Dr. Abbas, equally condemned the growing spate of child labour and sexual assault on children.
Signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Mr. Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the statement, noted that this year’s commemoration is themed: “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being”.
He also called on governments at all levels to make education, especially at the elementary level free and compulsory for children.
The Speaker added that all stakeholders have a role to play in the education, growth and welfare of girl children.
While, noting that the responsibility starts with the parents, especially with the moral upbringing of the girl child, the Speaker said, that society must collectively ensure the safety and education of the girl child.
He said, “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”.
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Dr Abbas 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 December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world,” the statement said.
The statement concluded that the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
