Osun State government and professionals on Monday stressed the need to improve access to quality education for the girl child.
The state’s commissioner for women, children and social affairs, Mrs. Ayo Awolowo, who spoke in Oke-Ila Orangun at a sensitisation programme on girl child education tagged “Nigeria for Women Project”, organised by her Ministry, in conjunction with World Bank, for female children between the age of five and fifteen said the Governor Ademola Adeleke led government is committed to functional education for children irrespective of gender amidst other masses oriented policies and programmes in the state.
Awolowo, who described functional education as the priceless and best legacy that responsible parents can bequeath to their children, admonished girls to be resolute in being properly educated.
She expressed dismay toward the erroneous belief in some quarters that male children are more valuable or useful than females, advancing that reverse has always been the case.
In their separate remarks, the two resource persons from the College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Mrs Oluyamo Magret and Alhaja Kolawole Silifat condemned the carefree attitude of many parents towards girl child education at the expense of their male counterparts.
They urged girls to protect their chastity, prioritize their studies, be obedient to their parents and give honour to whom it is due, advancing that these are the hallmarks of a responsible child.
In his address at the occasion, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, commended the state government’s initiative, through the Ministry, describing it as a good development.
He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support the children of the poor that have potential, talent and predominance in rural areas to make life peaceful and meaningful for all.