The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government’s sustained investment in education, technology and the creative sector, among others, will guarantee a better future for the girl-child in Edo, ensuring that they are adequately empowered to succeed in life.
The governor said this commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child, celebrated by the United Nations (UN) and its sister agencies with the theme, “Our time is now—our rights, our future.”
Obaseki said his government understands the role of the girl-child in the growth and development of the society and is committed to ensuring that they are provided with the right environment, skills and knowledge to realize their fullest potential and contribute effectively in the advancement of their communities.
He said, “Today, being the International Day of the Girl-Child, presents a fine opportunity to reinstate our administration’s commitment to the welfare and all-round development of the girl-child in Edo. As a government, we understand the role of the girl-child in the advancement of society and have continued to continue to prioritize investment in different sectors of our state’s economy, including education, health, tech and the creative sector, among others to ensure that they are provided with the right environment, skills and opportunities to achieve their dreams and live life to the fullest.
“We are pursuing a holistic transformation of the education sector, paying critical attention to basic and technical education. We are upgrading our school infrastructure and training our teachers on digital pedagogy, thereby bequeathing our girls with the knowledge to compete favourably in a technology-driven 21st century.
“Our government is very much aware of the huge potential and talents our people possess, especially the girl-child, and is investing hugely in the creative sector, developing systems and infrastructure, with the goal to become the home of culture and tourism in West Africa. As a state, we are committed to taking advantage of our unique opportunity in terms of location and natural endowment to harness the huge potential in the creative industry and boost our state’s economy.”
Obaseki said his government has also strengthened institutions in the state to enforce the Child Rights Law, ensuring that the girl-child is protected from all forms of abuse.
