Girl Child Vulnerable to Extortion and Child Labour, Alausa, Education Minister

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, has lamented that the Nigerian girl-child is becoming more vulnerable to extortion and child labour.

Alausa gave the lamentation on the occasion of traditional and religious Leaders Conference on Girls’ Education in North East Zone, held at New Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi, on Thursday.

The conference, spearheaded by the Sultan Foundation for peace and development and the Federal Ministry of Education, is organised to promote Adolescent Girls Learning Experience (AGILE) in the subregion.

“It is also alarming to note that many of these girls are either hawking on the streets or serving as house helps,” the minister stated during the conference, with the theme Overcoming social and cultural norms on Girls Education in North East Nigeria.

“In spite of free and compulsory basic education programme, the minister expressed worry that many barriers keep girls from accessing education.

“For Nigeria to achieve its educational goals, the Girl Child must be educated,” he stated
“For this to happen all critical stakeholders including religious leaders and traditional rulers must collectively come and work together”

Alausa hoped that conference of Traditional and Religious Leaders lead in advocacy, sensitization and awareness creation at the States, Local and Community Levels on significance of Girls Education.

He urged traditional and religious leaders support the Federal and Sub-National Governments and reorient followers on myths and negative social norms which often prevent parents in supporting their wards and children to enroll into schools.

In a welcome address, Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Jamila Mohammed Dahiru, said it was a honour to have prominent traditional and religious leader attend the conference.

“Today, we are here to address one of the pressing issues of ensuring that every girl child is given access to quality education.
“This conference is a call to action and a remainder to all of us that we must work together to clear the barriers and empower girls to achieve their full potentials”

Dahiru appreciated Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for squeezing time out of his tight schedules outside the State to drive direct to this important conference.

“This has indeed demonstrated your commitment and fashion for the girl child education,” she said.

“I wish to also appreciate and welcome Your Royal Highnesses, our keynote speakers, panelists, delegates and other stakeholders for finding time out of your schedules to attend this conference.

“Your presence demonstrate your commitment to this critical cause. Your expertise will surely enrich our discussions and generate positive action.

“Let us work together to bring change in the lives of girl child. Let us ensure that every girl child has access to quality education and every opportunity that come with it.

“Thank you very much for gracing the occasion. May Almighty Allah reward you abundantly, bless us to have a fruitful engagement and take us back safely to our respective destinations at the end of this important conference”