Awka, Nigeria: Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, has called on affluent citizens to take bold, personal action in uplifting the girl-child, primarily through education, mentorship, and protection from gender-based violence.
The speaker particularly urged affluent citizens to go the extra mile in assisting young girls to achieve their dreams.
Udeze’s advocacy is contained in a message to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl-Child, with the theme: ‘The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis.
The speaker’s message was made available to journalists in Awka by his press secretary, Mr Emma Madu, on Saturday.
He urged governments at all levels to reconsider and prioritise policies in favour of the girl-child’s growth and development, to enable young girls to be truly independent.
The speaker also called on wealthy individuals to foster a culture of adopting girl children and to build their capacities to reach their full potential in all spheres of life.
Udeze enjoined relevant authorities and agencies to evade obnoxious policies and inhuman acts such as female genital mutilation, underage sexual and emotional torture, as well as other related gender-based violence, like forced or early child marriage, negatively affecting the future of young girls.
The speaker commended the Wife of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, Dr Nonye Soludo, for her efforts to improve the lives of young girls in Anambra, advocating for greater inclusion of young females in matters that concern them, especially in education.
He noted that an educated girl has the vision and power to educate the entire family, thereby partnering in nation-building and growth.
Udeze advised the girl-children to parade themselves with pride and dignity at all times and pursue their passions and life-changing careers with determined commitment and focus for a brighter future.
He urged them to shun all forms of immorality, reminding them that girls with dreams would become women with vision, purpose and impact and possibly rule their world.
The speaker appealed to parents to continue to mould and guide the future of their girl-children, urging affluent citizens to see the empowerment of young girls as a collective responsibility that must be carried out with a firm commitment.
The UN General Assembly established the International Day of the Girl-Child on Dec. 19, 2011, but declared Oct. 11 as the day to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges they faced worldwide.
The UN adopted Resolution 66/170 to establish the day, aiming to draw attention to the challenges faced by girls and promote their empowerment to ensure the fulfilment of their rights.
