Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has said his plans for the girl child will guarantee them a better deal as well as protect them and other vulnerable persons in the state.
The governor said this in Makurdi on Wednesday during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked every October 11, by the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.
The governor, who disclosed that his government has reached out to international agencies for collaboration, pledged to take out-of-school children back to school before the end of October.
“As we mark the International Day of the Girl-Child, I reiterate my administration’s commitment to protecting the girl-child, providing her with the space to live life to the fullest and realize her full potential,” he said.
The governor gave up his office for a 14-year-old SS 3 student of Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi, Miss Rita, in commemoration of the event.
Rita, who fielded questions from the Benue Children Parliament through the Commissioner of Education, Rev Frederick lkyaan, and the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Ann Itodo, noted that Benue is inundated with a lot of out-of-school children arising from a prolonged period of stay in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps by many citizens.
International Girl Child Day: Gov Alia assures better future for girls in Benue