As reported by Punch News, the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called on parents and guardians to desist from discriminating against the girl-child, reiterating that girls have the same potential as boys. The Governor assured that his administration remains committed to empowering the girl-child.

Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, issued the reminder during the 2024 International Girl-Child Day celebration themed "Girl Vision for the Future" organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs at the Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, Ilorin.

He also emphasised that the Child’s Rights Law, the Violence Against Persons Act, and the Prohibition of Gender-Based Discrimination Law are still in effect to protect girls from any form of victimisation.

“These laws ensure that children have compulsory education and get full protection against all forms of violence, molestation or discrimination,” she emphasised.

The governor, through his Commissioner, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the girl-child to attain her full potential.

The First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, who was also represented by the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Dr Afeez Alabi Abolore, assured the sitting that her office will continue to advocate for policies that would expand girls’ access to education, healthcare and protection from violence and exploitation.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Opeyemi Afolashade, commended both the governor and his First Lady for restoring the integrity of the girl-child through the Committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the state.

Afolashade said, “We hail the purposeful Chairmanship of our darling mother, the First Lady of Kwara State, Her Excellency, Amb. (Prof) Olufluke AbdulRazaq for restoring integrity to the girl-child in the state through the 21 persons committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”

While observing that prominent women had contributed to the development of the nation, Afolashade, thus described the girl-child as an integral part of society, with lofty ideas and intelligence.

The Keynote Speaker, Professor Biola Adimula, tasked female children to acquire quality education to forestall inequality and discrimination.

Adimula said the education of the girl-child will enable them to compete favourably with their male counterpart while identifying poverty, cultural norms, and inadequate infrastructures as encumbrances to the survival of female children.

She cautioned female children against drug abuse, premarital sex, prostitution, alcoholism, cultism, fraud, and other ignoble acts capable of ruining their future.