By Adeola Ogunlade
The Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has said that the girl child is an asset to the nation and she deserves our love, respect and should be given a chance to rule like their male counterpart.
Sanwo-Olu made this known at the International Day for the Girl Child 2019 Summit organized by Heartminders Social Advancement Initiatives in conjunction with The United Nation Information Centre, held on Tuesday at Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos.
The event tagged Girl force: Unscripted and Unstoppable; marking the 25 years of Progress for girls, brought together hundreds girls from across Lagos which featured lecture, and break out sessions on environment, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence.
She said that we must also acknowledge the fact that the existence of human life on earth is impossible without the equal participation of both women and men. They are equally responsible for the survival of the human race on the earth. They are also liable for the development and growth of a nation.
She noted that girls are breaking grounds and barriers. They are ahead of boys in many fields and due to their hard work and dedication; they are becoming a force to recon with.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Mrs. Fatima Obanikoro said ”Girls are more talented, obedience, hardworking and responsible for the family and their lives. Besides girls are more caring and loving towards their parents, above all, they give 100% in every work”.
“A female child deserves a life where she is treated as equal to a boy. She should be respected, loved and given a chance to rule like their male counterpart”, she said.
She advised young girls to be focused, believe in themselves and shun negative vices that may hider their goals in life. Besides, you need to push yourself towards your goals as no other can do it for you.
Sanwo-Olu who was elated with the theme of the programme said that experience has shown that no force can stop people who are determine to get things done and get things right and as such, the theme is desire to inspire our young girls to ensure that they rise above all contending forces and as well as not relent until they achieve their desired goals in life.
In her words, the founder of Heart Minders Social Advancement Initiatives, Funke Oguntuga called for increase political will and resources for preventing and ending all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the country.
She said that although sexual abuse is to global issue, one of the greatest challenges we faced with sexual and girl child abuse in Africa is our culture, a culture that has abuse embedded in it.
“Girls are not seen as important. They are seen as sex object and only to be married away”, she said.
She lamented that In 2017, we had over 5, 000 reported cases of sexual abuse in Lagos and only nine was prosecuted and the nine cases dragged for nine years for us to get justice.
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