Wife of Ogun Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has called on the Girl -Child to always respond with resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity, and resilience Whenever the world tried to bring adversity or challenges their way.
Mrs Abiodun spoke on Thursday in Abeokuta during the commemoration of International Day of the Girl-Child .
The programme is with the theme “Our time is now – our rights, our future,” .
The governor’s wife noted that it was important to join the global community to accelerate progress and prepare for another decade or more of concerted investment in the future and potential of the girls.
She stated that in the face of shifting social norms, economic, and technological advancements, there must be collective call for greater attention, investment, and action to support adolescent girls in leadership.
“We need to nurture more spaces to include them in some decision-making where their voices can be heard, and they can effect change.
‘Our schools, places of worship, and even the communities we live in should offer opportunities where our girls can include their voices in change efforts.
” We need to increase resources and investments for adolescent girls especially prioritising their health and well-being.
” I thank one of our partners, led by my very good friend , Bolanle Oduyale who has consistently been working with us at Ajose Foundation to educate our girls on menstrual hygiene and provide them with sanitary pads.
These are just some of the ways that we can help keep our girls in school, by eliminating distractions like period poverty,” she said.
She added that the present government led by Gov. Dapo Abiodun would continue to do the needful to ensure that the rights and privileges of the girl -child was always protected.
” The present government has advanced the rights of the girl-child through scholarship programs and our homegrown school-feeding program.
“Ajose Foundation has also championed girls’ rights through tackling issues like child abuse, menstrual health and hygiene and ongoing mentoring programs,” Abiodun said.
In his remark, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu appreciated the first lady for her efforts at nurturing the girl child in the State, urging girls to emulate the virtue of notable personalities who had excelled in their various careers.
Speaking virtually, one of the resource persons, an award-winning Athlete, Tobi Amusan encouraged the girl child to be positive-minded and believe in themselves, saying “these qualities have been keeping me going in athletics despite the challenges”.
Highlights of the event were lectures on personal and menstrual hygiene, etiquette, among other pertinent talks, as well as a debate competition and cultural performances for girls drawn from various public and private schools in the State.
