To enable Nigerian girls to compete well with their counterparts in other climes, government officials at all levels have been urged to prioritize skill empowerment of the girls.
Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Otesile, Executive Director of the Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, gave the advice on Saturday during a press conference at the Jide Adesina Female Basketball Competition held in Ibadan.
This year’s International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated with programs put on by HOSEC, including the tournament, which was sponsored by philanthropist Mr. Jide Adesina.
According to Mrs. Otesile, it’s critical that Nigerian girls get quality education and develop basic skills, as doing so will increase their capacity for self-defense and decrease their susceptibility.
Mrs Otesile who identified poverty as a major factor responsible for sexual exploitation and trafficking of young Nigerian girls said the foundation has empowered over six hundred school girls in Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Kaduna states and the FCT during this year’s international Day of the girl child.
“In our skill up a girl child initiative in five states, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Kaduna states and the FCT, If we’re able to empower 600 girls on different skills, catering, recycling, confectionery, renewable energy, web designing among others” She said
Also speaking, sponsor of the female basketball competition, Mr Jide Adesina emphasized the need for members of the public to provide the enabling environment for the girls to strive.
Mr Adesina also advocated more opportunities for girls in the sports sector, describing it as a way of empowering young girls to make them useful to their generation.
