Kwara State Government Organised Girl-Child Education Campaign in Kwara North -

The Kwara State Government recently organized an impactful girl-child education campaign in Kwara North through the office of the Adviser on Girl-Child Empowerment, Hon. Joana Nnazua Kol. The campaign aimed to enlighten participants from various local governments on the importance of educating girls.

During her address, Hon. Joana emphasized the program’s goal to raise awareness about the benefits of girl-child education. She highlighted that educating girls is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment that yields substantial returns for families, communities, and the nation at large.

Mrs. Ajibola Mosunmade, a key speaker at the event, who has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Ilorin and is currently pursuing her PhD at the same institution, further elaborated on the socio-economic impacts of educating girls. She pointed out that educated girls contribute significantly to the development of their communities. Mrs. Mosunmade also discussed the barriers that hinder girls from accessing education, such as cultural practices, economic hardships, and institutional inequalities. She urged the participants to advocate for policies and initiatives that support girls’ education and empowerment.

Interactive sessions with teachers revealed challenges faced in ensuring consistent school attendance. Teachers noted that some parents often withdraw their children during school hours, while others do not allow their children to attend school at all. Mothers in the community mentioned that their children are frequently needed to assist with market activities, which affects their schooling.

Hon. Joana reassured the participants of the government’s commitment to gender-inclusive governance under the leadership of His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. She said, “Women in Kwara State are now certain of at least 35 per cent representation in governance. This is because the bill for Political Offices Gender Composition 2021 has been signed into law.

While encouraging the parents and traditional leaders on why girl-child education is important, Hon. Joana said, “Hon. Rukayat Shittu, the youngest female member of the House of Assembly, has been in the spotlight because of her political influence, bringing attention to the valuable contribution of young women. In Kwara, the cabinet has an equal split of genders and the highest number of female commissioners in Nigeria, demonstrating a genuine commitment rather than just empty words. Among the 20 commissioners in the state, 50% are women, showing a strong dedication to achieving gender equality. This progressive approach ensures that Kwara’s governance incorporates diverse perspectives, leading to more well-informed and effective decision-making.”

While imploring the parents and stakeholders in Kwara North, Hon. Joana said, “In an effort to establish a conducive learning environment, His Excellency has renovated and constructed over 600 schools, and the renovation is still ongoing across the state. The governor of Kwara State is committed to ensuring that no girl child graduates and remains unemployed. Efforts are being made to empower both female and male graduates, providing them with job opportunities after completing their education.”

“Furthermore, the KwaraLEARN initiative, launched by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has significantly improved learning outcomes and school enrollment. This tech-driven program has increased the number of enrolled pupils from 120,000 to 180,000 in just two years and has enhanced literacy and numeracy skills by at least 50%. The initiative also provides teachers with modern tools and continuous support, ensuring a high standard of education across the state,” Hon. Joana said.

Mrs. Khadijat Mamman Tsadu, the chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and a politician who serves as the coordinator for Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq AA Edu branch, also attended to enlighten the participants on girl-child education.

Emir of Lafiagi, Alh. Kudu Kawu II, and Mallam Ibrahim Suleiman, the Sinaweragi 2 Chief Kusobosu, along with the teachers, expressed their gratitude to Governor Abdulrazaq for prioritizing education and implementing policies that enhance the learning environment in Kwara State.

The event was honoured by prominent attendees from each of their local governments, who are also advocates for girl-child education in Kwara. Among them were two House of Assembly members from Moro, Hon. Ayinshola Lawal and Hon. Medinat Awele, as well as Development Officers from Baruten, Hon. Asaburu Umar Mora and Hon. Salihu Sodiq from Kaiama LG, and all other D Os, Local Government Officers, and Local Government Staffs were in attendance