By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Traditional and religious leaders in the North East subregion of Nigeria have committed to scaling up advocacy to sensitize communities on the importance of girl child education as they will work with government agencies to encourage Girls to continue schooling after marriage.
This was contained in a Communique from the Conference on Enhancing Girl-child Education in Northern Nigeria organised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project held on Thursday, 5th December, 2024 at the Bauchi Government House.
The Conference further resolved that community-based organizations, in partnership with traditional and religious leaders and local governments, should establish support systems such as scholarship schemes, conditional cash transfers, and community funds to aid families in educating their daughters.
The Conference also urged state governments to fast tract budgetary release to education sector and prioritize security in school environments by working with local security outfits to safeguard girls’ access to education in conflict-prone areas.
Furthermore, safe school programmes should be implemented to mitigate security risks just as participants resolved to promote cultural reorientation campaigns that highlight the positive role of educated women in society.
Government agencies and development partners were also called upon to invest in gender-sensitive school infrastructure, such as adequate sanitation facilities, to cater to the specific needs of female students.
The Conference also urged Northern Governors to push their agencies to embark on regular access of UBEC fund, observing that un-accessed funds by states is a matter of concern.
The Conference described political commitment as very needful to changing the Northern predicaments particularly in respect of Education, therefore calling for all hands to be on deck.
The private sector, wealthy individuals, philanthropists, institutions and communal groups as well as NGOs were encouraged to expand their involvement in supporting educational programs through offering technical and financial resources to boost enrolment, retention, and completion rates among girls in the North East.
Furthermore, Religious leaders were called upon to use their platforms for mobilizing communities on the values of education, and especially on correcting negative pronouncements bedevilling the progress of the North generally.
Creating the second chance opportunity to those who have missed their first chance should be a matter priority in bridging the present gap of out of school (OOS) and school drop –outs among many children of the North Eastern states while Ministries of Education in the Zone are requested to strengthen policy on second chance.
The Conference stressed that a united approach will accelerate progress, ensuring that resources, policies, and community support align to create an inclusive educational environment that empowers and uplifts every girl while States in the North East are encouraged to open doors for collaboration, accountability and resource leveraging in the collective interest of the future leaders.
The Conference commended Bauchi State Government for declaring a state of emergency on Education, noting other efforts such the Tsangaya Education and integrated education system remained result oriented and other states in the zone called to emulate the initiative.
Delegates at the Conference appreciated the leadership roles of traditional and religious leaders under the able leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar
The Conference also appreciated Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala A. Mohammed for not only hosting the conference, but personally participated in it with all his team. The state is also commended for the hospitality extended to the delegates.
The Conference concluded with a renewed commitment to girl child education from all participants, delegates and organizers, acknowledging that achieving socio-economic development in Northern Nigeria in general hinges on educating the girls.
The Conference recognized the critical roles of traditional and religious leaders in reshaping societal norms, advocating for policy reforms, and driving community-level action while all stakeholders are requested to be committed towards ensure that every girl in the North East region has access to quality education and the opportunity to realize her full potential.
The Communique was adopted after a motion moved by Dr Hon. Nasiru Ala, of Bauchi State House of Assembly was seconded by HRH Abubakar Umar Suleiman, the Emir of Bade, Yobe State.