The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has voiced deep concern over the growing issue of inadequate girl-child education and the alarming incidence of Sexual Gender-Based Violence against girls in Nigeria.
This concern was brought to light on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Female Student Vanguard for Girl Child Education in Nigeria, hailing from Kano State, to the Deputy Speaker’s office at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Kalu pointed out that if these issues are not effectively addressed, they could significantly harm the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of affected children. Moreover, he expressed disappointment that existing legal instruments and numerous policies aimed at addressing gender inequality in education have not yielded the desired results.
The Deputy Speaker strongly advocated for the establishment of additional schools in rural areas to reduce the vulnerability of girls to social violence, particularly rape. He emphasized the importance of proximity, saying, “We must bring schools closer to the communities, with a school within every 5 kilometers, to ensure that girls in rural areas are shielded from such violence.”
Kalu acknowledged the commitment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to tackle the challenges facing girl-child education and gender empowerment in Nigeria. He thanked the advocacy group for honoring him with an exemplary leadership award and pledged to make the Female Students Vanguard for Girl Child Education one of his priority initiatives.
In his words, the Deputy Speaker remarked, “Education is a fundamental right and a vital tool for empowerment and national development. Gender inequality in education remains a pressing concern in Nigeria, and I commend your efforts to find solutions. Many are unaware of the hardships faced by indigent girls in rural areas. You are champions advocating for their basic needs. We must work to reduce these disparities, and we will use our legislative influence to make it happen.”
He further added, “Girls are the future mothers of our nation, and education is paramount in their lives. We need both genders to develop our nation. During my tenure as Deputy Speaker, I commit to adopting the Female Students Vanguard for Girl Child Education as one of my key projects. My office and my foundation, the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, will collaborate with you to ease your mission.”
The visiting group, led by its President Khadijat Suleiman, congratulated the Deputy Speaker on his well-deserved appointment and sought his support for their advocacy. They expressed optimism that with the support of compassionate individuals like Kalu, their goal of reducing female illiteracy in Nigeria by increasing girls’ access to education will be realized.
