By Gami Tadanyigbe
African Students Education Support Initiative (ASESI), an NGO, has called on the Federal Government and parents to promote and prioritise girl-child education for the development of the country.
Mr Chinonso Obasi, the Executive Director, ASESI, made the call wduring the donation of 20,000 exercise books to female students in FCT schools to commemorate World Day for the Girl-Child.
According to him, there was need to promote the girl-child education as well as encourage them as they are the engine of national development.
Obasi pointed out that government needed to pay adequate attention to girl-child education system through policy framework and funding for national development.
“When you educate a girl, you educate a nation, so government should prioritize girl-child education; have a consistent and articulated plan with adequate budget.
“Let every parent also prioritise the girl-child education and take it that education is one legacy that the parent owes his child.
“It is very important that every girl-child deserves the best education that we can give her, it is a job for the parents, the community leaders and every other leader,” he said.
However, the director disclosed that the donation was a kind gesture by the organisation to encourage the Girl-Child and enhance effective teaching and learning among them.
Besides, he said the organisation would continue to support schools with educational materials and scholarships to pupils and the less-privileged in the society.
“We are into human capital development, making sure that the education and health sectors improve for national development.
“Persons with disabilities have also benefited from the organisation in our efforts to make them feel they are very important to the society.
“I believe that these materials will enable them to develop a reading culture, improve their vocabulary, knowledge, and understanding to position them for success,” he said.
Obasi further underscored the need to strengthen Nigeria’s education system, in order to secure a brighter future for the girl-child and the nation at large.
Malam Yusuf Maman, the head teacher of L.E.A primary school, Durumi, Abuja, while receiving the items thanked the organisation for its support and promised to ensure adequate use of the books by the pupils.
The organisation gave scholarship to Habiba Sani, a primary 6 pupil, to sponsor her common entrance examinations for answering correctly the name of the Minister of Education.
