Niger CAN Canvasses Empowerment of Women Through Education Catalyst for Change
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN has said the much sort-after change in the country can be speedily achieved through the education of the girl child.
Chairman of the Association, Most Reverend Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made this known in a presentation at the Conference of Traditional and Religious Leaders on the Significance of Girls Education in the North Central Geo political Zone of the country, held in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday.
Reverend Yohanna submitted that girls’ education is also “a beacon of hope that illuminates the path towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all”.
He added: “It is through education that we break-down barriers, challenge stereotypes and build a world where every girl is valued, respected and given the chance to fulfill her potentials”.
The clergyman therefore admonished Nigeria and Nigerians “to continue to champion girls’ education as a cornerstone of progress and a cornerstone of a brighter tomorrow”.
He said as traditional and religious leaders their influences are also crucial in shaping attitudes towards girls’ education within their communities, adding that “they hold the power to challenge harmful stereotypes and advocate for policies that promote gender equality.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, in an address also stressed the need for the Girl Child to be given equal opportunity with her male counterpart to pursue her education to any level adding that marriage and religion should not debar the girl child’s education.
Alhaji Abubakar commended the developmental strides of the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago, saying, “within a short time he has transformed the state” and also “turned the state to a whole construction site”.
Governor Bago in his speech disclosed that the state government has introduced a foreign scholarship scheme for female students to study Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Engineering.
Bago also revealed that women have been introduced into tractor operation under the governments food production scheme adding that not less than 1000 women are now tractor operators.
The event witnessed presentations by girls from public primary and secondary schools in Minna
