STAKEHOLDERS SEEK STRONGER INVESTMENT IN GIRL-CHILD EMPOWERMENT

Stakeholders have called for increased investment in girl-child education and empowerment, saying it is essential to developing future leaders, promoting national growth and protecting young women from exploitation.

The call was made in Abuja at the graduation and award ceremony of the first cohort of the African Girl Guide’s 12-week leadership and empowerment programme, themed “Leading Beyond the Programme: Sustaining Purpose, Influence and Impact.”

Founder of Uplift International, Nelson Ogohi, said investment in the girl child should be treated as a national priority, particularly in communities where girls continue to face barriers to education.

He urged the Federal and state governments, community leaders, religious organisations and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to promote access to quality education for girls.

The Manager of African Girl Guide, Sophia Okiasi, said the first cohort produced 37 young women after 12 weeks of intensive leadership and empowerment training.

She said the programme was designed to build confidence, awareness and leadership skills among young women while encouraging them to contribute positively to their communities.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Binta Adamu Bello, represented at the event, said empowering girls could also help reduce their vulnerability to human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

She explained that traffickers often target people affected by poverty, limited education and low self-confidence, urging the graduates to understand their rights and carefully verify opportunities presented to them.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission urged the young women to make integrity a foundation of their leadership and reject fraud and other shortcuts to success.

Stakeholders said sustained investment in education, skills development and leadership programmes would give more Nigerian girls the opportunity to reach their potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.