Jigawa State House of Assembly Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child
By Abdulhamid Sani
Dutse, Jigawa State (Nigeria) – In a groundbreaking move, the Jigawa State House of Assembly honored the International Day of the Girl Child by allowing a young female student to preside over the plenary session. The 14-year-old, Jamila Aliyu Abdulkadir, took the Speaker’s seat, making history as the first girl to chair the state’s legislative assembly.
The event, which coincided with the global observance of the day on October 11, aimed to highlight the importance of empowering girls and ensuring their access to education, healthcare, and equal opportunities. The theme for this year, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” emphasized the need to listen to girls’ aspirations and invest in proven solutions to accelerate progress toward gender equality.
Speaker of the House, Haruna Aliyu, lauded the initiative, noting that it aligned with the state government’s commitment to promoting girls’ empowerment and education. He highlighted several policies and programs implemented by the administration to increase girls’ enrollment in schools and improve their overall well-being.
During the special session, Ms. Abdulkadir and other young female students from various schools in the state shared their dreams and aspirations for the future. They emphasized the importance of quality education, economic independence, access to good health, leadership skills, and digital literacy.
The students also expressed their gratitude to the state government for its efforts to create a supportive environment for girls’ education and empowerment. They commended both the executive and legislative arms for their commitment to promoting girls’ rights and fulfilling their potential.
In recognition of his efforts to promote girls’ education and the well-being of women in Jigawa State, Speaker Aliyu was awarded an honorary certificate of excellence.
The event showcased the Jigawa State House of Assembly’s dedication to gender equality and its commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders. By allowing a young girl to preside over the plenary, the assembly sent a powerful message about the importance of involving girls in decision-making processes and ensuring their voices are heard.
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