By Linus Ogbu, Lafia
A coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Center for Women, Youth and Community Action, (NAWYCA), Rise Up Nigeria and First Step Action for Children Initiative have developed and launched girl education policy document for Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the official launching of the document in Lafia, Dr Theresa Ejah, Country Director, Rise Up Nigeria, represented by Rehila James said the policy document would serve as a guide to improve girl child education.
Dr Ejah explained that Nasarawa state was the first state to launch the policy document, noting that it would go along way in helping the girl child to achieve their goals.
According to her, girl child education is paramount to the development of a Nation, noting that when a girl child is educated the nation is empowered, hence the need for their enrollment into schools no matter the challenges of life.
On his part, Dr Nawani Aboki, Executive Director of NAWYCA thanked the state government and traditional institutions for their encouragement to ensure girl child education given most priority in the state.
While appreciating officials of Rise Up Nigeria in ensuring the document came into reality, said it would improve enrollment of girl child education in Nasarawa state.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry for education, Muhammad Bala, said the document would be a useful tool in formulating better enrollment frame work that would take girl child education to the next level in Nasarawa state.
Bala said that the state have been doing so much in advancing girl child education and would continue to partner Non Governmental organisations like Rise Up Nigeria, NAWYCA, First Step Action for Children Initiative and UNICEF among others willing to support government to promote education.
Bala, while commending the organisations for taken bold steps towards promoting girl child education for optimal productivity, appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, media as well as parents to support the course for a better society.
Also speaking, Peace Michael, a representative of Girl child in the state, express hope that the voice of a girl child would be heard and her education takes new dimension following the launching of the policy document.