Miss Victory Ibrahim, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) student from Karu ward, on Monday acted as Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), for 24 hours to commemorate the 2020 International Day for the Girl-Child.
The day is celebrated yearly on Oct. 11 and has as theme: ”My Voice, Our Equal Future’.
Ibrahim, appreciated the chairman, Mr Abdullahi Candido, for the privilege given to her team and the children of the council to celebrate the day.
‘We thank you for the opportunity given to us. This will inspire our dreams and aspirations to excel and reach for the skies.
“I wish to call on the girl-child wherever she may be, whatever circumstances she may find herself to rise to maximise her potential.
“She should demand her rights as a member of the society with enormous contributions to make the growth of her land.
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“I also want to call for an end to gender-based violence, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriages, rape, intimidation, harassment and all abuses melted daily on the girl child.
“The girl child should be given a chance to lend her voice, express herself and participate in decision making in the affairs that concern her well-being,” she said.
Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative, advised girls to leverage on the opportunity given to them to build their various capacities.
Lamptey, represented by Mrs Patience Ekechukwu, Programme Officer UN appreciated the AMAC chairman for being a ‘He-for-She Champion’ and standing up for the rights of the girl child at all time.
“Being a girl is not a limitation, it is actually a strength.
“We are looking at eliminating harmful cultural practices and that is why we are advocating for the inclusion of more women in leadership positions, to ensure the end of all these issues,” she said.
Responding, Candido said the opportunity given to the young girls to act in various capacities would inspire them to become agents of social change.
“I want to appeal that we give the girl child an enabling environment that will promote her growth and advancement in the country.
“The women and girl child are so important in our society because, with them, we know that our societal norms, cultures and values will be upheld,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Hauwa Garba and Miss Gift Auta, both 12- year-olds, were also selected as Secretary and Speaker respectively to celebrate the day.