By Muhammad Abdullahi
The Federal Capital Administration(FCTA),has urged the girl-child to strive to bring the much-needed healing and build bridges of reconciliation, mutual understanding, equity, fairness and justice that are fast eroding.
The acting Secretary FCTA, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Dr Kevin Ike, gave the advice at the 2021 International Day of the girl-child celebration, organised by the Helpline Foundation For The Needy, Monday in Abuja.
Represented by Malam Muktar Mohammed, the Head, Revenue Unit of SDS, Ike said there was so much suspicious in the air and “no gainsaying that the the older generation has failed.”
Ike enjoined the girls parliamentarians to aspire to become the change they want to see by speaking with one voice against social injustice, sexual and gender-based violence as well as the abuse of the girl-child.
He also stressed the need for the girl child to explor and find positive use of the social media and internet to get their voice heard and always make their point.
” Use social media and internet to champion the cause of of the girl child unto her liberation, protection and achievement of her full potential.
” Use it in addressing domestic violence whenever you see one and so make your neighborhood saner than you met it.
” There is a place in the history of mankind for you to make great marks before leaving planet earth; do not therefore, take it lightly,” Ike said.
Earlier, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, the founder and President, Helpline Foundation For The Needy, said” we advocate that the foundation of building a generation of strong, dependable, strong-willed and innovative women, be laid from now in the hearts of young girls.
” We should be mindful of the fact that we all have a role to play in the physical and mental development of our girls if they must grow up to be strong women.
” We want them to be able to stand up and speak up for themselves in the face of bullies, sexual opportunists, teacher-female student oppression and other environmental challenges as the girl child is prone to face.
” We at the helpline foundation recognize this and have taken it upon ourselves to bring them out in a forum like this periodically for them to meet with accomplished women from all field to inspire them.”
Also, the outgoing Speaker of the girls parliament, Cynthia Odoh, urged the girl child to be agent of change wherever they find themselves, saying” there is a leader in every one of us, do the little you can to bring the change you want.”