GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION, A SINE QUA NON FOR THE NATION’S FUTURE- OGUN COMMISSIONER
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has emphasized that educating the girl-child remains a sine qua non for the transformation of the nation’s future.
Consequently, she sought the need for development partners, community and religious leaders to give increasing support to government at all levels towards promoting an enabling environment for girl-child to get access to quality education and technological education.
Adeleye disclosed this during the 2025 International Day of the Girl-Child celebration held in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where she reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to advancing girl-child education, protection, and empowerment.
She noted that the theme of the year: “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” resonated deeply with the ongoing programmes of the Ministry aimed at empowering girls as agents of change, disclosing that through a World Bank-supported initiative, the State Government had been supportive to children, especially Girl Child towards, providing them the opportunity to pursue technical education and acquire life-changing skills.
The Commissioner highlighted other initiatives, including the 2025 Female Tilers and Block-Laying Training Programme, implemented in collaboration with Lafarge Cement, explaining that the scheme was designed to bridge gender gaps in non-traditional trades and empower young women aged 18 to 30 with practical skills to compete favourably in the construction industry. She added that the interventions were part of the deliberate investment of the ministry in building the confidence, leadership potential, and self-reliance of girls across the State.
"As a Ministry, we remain firmly committed to investing deliberately in girls education and leadership, protecting them from all forms of violence and exploitation through stronger enforcement of protection laws, and creating inclusive spaces where their voices influence decision-making, from the walls of the classrooms to National platforms", the Commissioner stated.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaja Mariam Oloko, reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to entrench equality, empowerment, and inclusivity for the girl-child.
Represented by the Director of Education, Dr. Akinola Okereafor, the Permanent Secretary described the girl-child as uniquely created, urging them to continually seek knowledge and become positive change agents who will add value to society and the State at large.
In her goodwill message, the Prevention Team Lead from the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Mrs. Olayinka Adejobi, sensitized participants on the realities of HIV/AIDS, explaining its modes of transmission, prevention, and available vaccines. She urged the girls to avoid risky behaviours, including sharing of sharp objects, and to remain focused on their dreams to secure a healthier and brighter future.
Also, the State Branch Controller, West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Ogun state, Dr. Ayobami Suberu, who spoke to the participants on the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination, a digital format for the WAEC exam, sensitized the participants to embrace digital literacy in view of the new mode of assessment for the international examination.
Declaring that the State recorded zero case of malpractices during the 2024 and 2025 CBT WAEC GCE, he clarified the new assessment systems which would integrate technology into every stage of examination management, would further improve the integrity of the international class examination.
The event, featured a debate competition where the Abeokuta Girls Grammer School, Onikolobo emerged first, while Abeokuta Grammer School, Idi-Aba and
Baptist Girls Grammer, Idi-Aba clinched the 2nd and 3rd position respectively; distribution of reusable sanitary pads and educational materials to all the participants.
