Government should invest on girl-child – NGO

A non-governmental organization in Abuja named Eco Cares Welfare Foundation alongside with the Childhood Bridge International Initiative have called on the Federal Government to invest properly on the girl-child saying, if opportunities are given to girls, Nigeria at large will be a better place.

Founder of Eco Cares Welfare Foundation Ene Cynthia Ogbe, who spoke on behalf of the NGO yesterday at a lecture to mark the 2015 celebration of the International Day for the Girl Child, said most girl children globally are faced with immense challenges, therefore more attention should be given to give them hope and encouragement.

“Girls are also part of our future that will assist in the development of the society so therefore they should experience high quality of life because the knowledge phase of a girl reflects in the quality of lifestyle in the society. So we are believing and hoping that we should be able to make a very definite impact on the course of the future of womanhood,” she said.

Ogbe also said that Eco Cares Welfare Foundation is concerned about the rural child and had provided them with vocational and skill acquisition training. It has also provided education funds for about 100 girls in IDP camps affected by insurgency, adding that education is one of the key aspects in raising a girl-child to become a career woman.

Founder of Childhood Bridge International Initiative, Mrs. Caroline Aliyu, who also spoke during the Girl-Child’s Day, advised that parents should always encourage their wards to incorporate education with other skills, adding that, a girl could be independent if she has skills.

Mrs. Aliyu also called on government to raise the number of women in offices from 35 to 50, adding that women need encouragement.