The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), comprising elected governors from the country’s 36 states, inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the upcoming International Conference on Girl Child Education in Nigeria. Senator Stephen Odey, Ph.D., was appointed as the Chairman of the TWG. The conference’s theme is “Girl Child Empowerment through Quality Education.”
Asishana Okauru, Esq., the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the NGF as a policy hub of the national government and emphasized that the forum would collaborate to address girl child education in Nigeria. The International Conference on Girl Child Education aims to bring together stakeholders in the education sector to promote and advocate for girl child education. The focus is on providing support and funding to enhance primary school enrollment and encourage inclusive education, particularly for girls.
Senator Stephen Odey, the Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Cross River State Commissioner for Education, stated that the TWG would support advocacy efforts and raise awareness about girl child education in the states. He expressed the goal of developing a roadmap for girl child education in Nigeria by October 11, 2024.
Dr. Ebenezer Leo the Great, Head of the Education Department at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, highlighted that the Girl Child International Conference would promote and advocate for girl child education in Nigeria. Additionally, the conference would launch the Girl Child Education Volunteer Advocate Initiative and unveil the face of the Girl Child Education Ambassador from among first-class graduates representing each state and the Federal Capital Territory. The aim is to strengthen the national girl child education enrollment drive, implement plans and policies for safe schools and address gender-based violence, thereby promoting school retention. Dr. Leo emphasized the need for collaboration among government agencies, the TWG, NGOs, and international partners to generate education data, establish monitoring and evaluation policies, and ensure quality education for every girl child in Nigeria.