The Jigawa State Children’s Parliament has expressed the need for political support in facilitating programs and policies to ensure that the girl child has the opportunity for quality education, healthy access, and economic independence.
A 14-year-old student from Dutse Model International Secondary School, Jamila Aliyu Abdulkadir, was received and honored by the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, who vacated his seat for her and presided over a special session commemorating the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.
Speaking at the special session, Jamila Aliyu presided over the plenary with several schoolgirls drawn from various schools in the state capital. She commended the state’s Governor, Umar Namadi, and the Speaker for facilitating policies and programs that led to the increased enrollment of girls in schools.
According to her, “It is the dream of every girl child to have quality education, access to good healthcare, digital literacy, leadership skills, and economic independence.”
She emphasized that “all girls have the right to a safe life, quality education, and a healthy lifestyle because we are on our way to maturing into adulthood.”
Jamila further called on leaders like the Speaker to take meaningful action to ensure that girls are given the equal opportunities and protection they deserve by enacting laws that specifically empower them—laws that promote gender equality, access to education, protection against gender violence, and healthcare access.
In their contributions, members of the Students’ Parliament representing the Dutse Local Government Area at the special plenary, including Hassanah Aboyeji, appreciated Governor Malam Umar Namadi for prioritizing girl child education and ensuring that girls in the state receive free education at all levels.
She commended the state government for removing all fees and providing essential learning materials to girls, which led to a 43 percent increase in enrollment and retention rates.
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Esther Maiyaki, who represented the Buji State Constituency at the special plenary, stated that girls, if properly given the opportunity, can play a key role in the healthcare system in the state, as 44 percent of the state’s population are females.
Maiyaki noted that one of the biggest challenges in the country is the issue of maternal mortality, saying that too many women and girls are dying from preventable causes during childbirth.
“As girls, we can become better advocates for a better healthcare system. On a day like this, it’s important to thank the State Government for reducing the maternal mortality rate by providing free healthcare services for women and children and massive training for nurses, midwives, and doctors in the state,” she stated.
The students honored the Speaker with an award of excellence for promoting girl child education and increasing enrollment in schools.
Earlier, the Speaker stated that the assembly has made significant strides in empowering women and inspiring hope in the girl child, as the state is poised to address the challenge of out-of-school children, which is a nationwide issue.
“State legislators have initiated viable interventions to tackle this problem in their constituencies. A few months ago, I ordered honorable members to move to their respective constituencies to investigate the number of out-of-school children so that we can synergize and devise a lasting solution.
“Additionally, the 7th Assembly passed the Jigawa State Child Protection Act into law in 2021, marking another achievement for children’s rights in Nigeria. The domestication of the child protection law in the state will help safeguard children’s rights, ensuring that parents, guardians, and relevant authorities fulfill their obligations to protect children and prioritize access to health and education, especially for the girl child.”
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