NUJ FCT Council Applauds OAIC’s Campaign on Girl-Child Education, Decries Early Marriage.-Urges Investment on Girl Child Education.
By Raymond Enoch
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has thrown its weight behind the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), FCT Chapter, for organizing an Enlightenment and Wellness Campaign aimed at promoting girl-child education.
Addressing clergy, parents, caregivers, and education advocates at the event, the NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, described education as a powerful tool for transforming lives, particularly for the girl child. She was represented by the Council’s Treasurer, Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu.
“By promoting girl-child education, we are not only securing the future of young girls but also empowering families and communities to overcome poverty, illiteracy, and marginalization,” Ike said.
She commended OAIC’s effort in raising awareness and providing practical support through empowerment training and skill acquisition programs for indigent women and girls, calling it “grassroots impact at its best.”
“As journalists, we pledge our continued support in amplifying such developmental initiatives. Together, let us champion causes that give voice to the voiceless and light the path to equity and national development,” she added.
The event also featured renewed calls from educators, religious leaders, and policymakers for an end to early child marriage and greater investment in girl-child education.
A representative of the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Angela Nkwocha, emphasized the importance of involving young girls in decision-making, especially on policies that directly affect them.
“We must stop early child marriage so that girls can acquire education,” she said. “We go into rural areas, speak to communities in the language they understand, and ask the girls directly what they need. We can’t discuss their future without their voices in the room.”
She noted that engaging traditional and religious leaders has proven effective in reaching grassroots communities.
“When traditional rulers speak, the community listens. We equip them with the right message so they can carry it back home,” Nkwocha added.
Chairman of the OAIC FCT Chapter, Reverend Timothy Amakom, criticized the lingering belief in some parts of the country that educating girls is a waste.
“That notion is wrong,” he said. “We have seen women excel as ministers, commissioners, and even global leaders like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. One day, a woman will be president of Nigeria.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Nestor Ande-Philip, a lecturer at the University of Abuja, stressed that many girls are still denied access to education and pushed into early marriage and other forms of servitude.
“We must engage all levels of government, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to ensure every girl has access to quality education,” he said.
Participants at the campaign committed to strengthening advocacy, dismantling socio-economic barriers, and supporting policies that safeguard girls’ right to education and protect them from early marriage and discrimination.
