0
0
Stakeholders have identified determination and discipline as essential attributes needed by Girl-Child to excel and contribute meaningfully to national development.
This came to fore at a virtual conference with the theme “Just Girls 2020” organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Teens Dream Initiative to mark this year’s International Day of Girl-Child in Ilorin.
The Convener of the Teens Dream Initiative, Mrs Modupe Joel explained that the program was organized to give girl-child a voice and to demonstrate that, she as a female does not mean she cannot be part of decision-making, problem solving and make greater impact in the society and the world at large.
Mrs Joel emphasised that being a Girl-Child is not a barrier, hence the need for the girl-child to work on her integrity and Intellect to be able to fit in and compete favourably with male counterparts stressing that the stone age cultural practice of limiting girls to kitchen and house chores must be rejected.
The Convener who maintained that Girl-Child can not be fenced out in the scheme of things, lauded the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for demonstrating firm belief in women by appointing many of them into his cabinets and advised parents, guardians and the public to desist from giving undue advantage to Male-Child at the expense of Girl-Child.
Also speaking, Mrs Bolu Olutayo while making her presentation via Zoom, advised girls to always dress responsibly and reasonably and to make sure that it is their voice that is heard and not their body.
Mrs Olutayo also charged the girls to be resolute and shun any intimidation from any quarters stressing that their voice would be respected and reckoned with when they display high sense of responsibility.
Tolorunsagba Favour and Babalola Jesugbemi who spoke on behalf of other participants at the conference appreciated the organiser of the programme and gave an assurance to put into use, some of the life changing tips and advises given to them by experts.
The Conference which also featured speakers such as Reverend S. O. James and Reverend Mrs Oset was attended virtually by girls ages thirteen to twenty-three in seventeen venues across Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Girl-Child is My Vocie, Our Equal Future.
Yusuf Abdulkadir
