July 11, 2023
The Borno State Government is to partner the Malala Foundation to boost girl-child education in the state.
According to Malala Yousafzai, investments in the girl-child education will fulfil the future potentials of millions of girls in the global economy.
Unveiling the partnership, yesterday (Tuesday), in Maiduguri, during a courtesy visit of the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Governor, disclosed: “The Foundation has awarded scholarships to 700 Borno school girls, including 35 Chibok girls that were abducted by Boko Haram in April, 2014.”
He added that 27 classrooms were also renovated by the Foundation for what he described as: “To ensue safe teaching and learning environment in schools.”
On adopted measures to boost girl-child education in the state, he said that about 500, 000 school-age children, comprising over 50 percent of girls were enrolled into various primary schools in the state.
He, therefore, pledged to invest in the girl-child education, so that they could be retained in schools with low rates of school dropouts and child marriages.
Besides creating a conducive learning environment, the Foundation also built a 400-bed capacity hostel for the female boarding students.
While reiterating girl-child education, he noted that; “The education of girls could empower women to improve their living conditions, including their communities and families.”
“Educated girls at all levels, are able to make informed decisions at homes, organisations and other institutions in the State,” he said.
In her brief remarks, at the UN delegation, Malala Yousafzai, disclosed: “I was thrilled to visit Nigeria to meet incredible number of girls in Borno state, are in schools.”
She said that this coincided with her 10th year speech anniversary on girl-child education at the UN.
Her words: “This will remind the world that there are many girls could change and fulfil their dreams of potentials.”
She, therefore, urged the Federal and State governments to invest in the girl-child education in addressing most of the global issues affecting people’s lives.
The UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, stated that investments in the girl-child education will both meet the 4th and 5th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2023.
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