A non-governmental organisation, The Juli Education Foundation (TJEF) has launched the “Project Girl Child” in Maiduguri aimed at empowering, equipping, and creating a better future for indigent youths in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking during the official launching of the programme in Abuja, the chief executive officer, TJEF, Joy Ogiator said the focus of the initiative is to empower the teens and youths in Nigeria with the skills required to compete favourably in the ever-evolving technology-driven global community.
“Investing in these leaders of tomorrow will no doubt not only impact their individual future but that of the communities they reside.
“We are excited about the prospects for the teeming girl population the initiative will impact,” she said.
Speaking on the theme: “Importance of Girl Child Education” Ms Ogiator lamented the disadvantages a girl child faces in life, especially when parents cannot afford to send all their children to school.
“Some cultures do not believe in educating the girl child, especially in some northern parts of the country,” she said.
At the moment, she said, “We are excited about the prospects for the teeming girl population the initiative will impact. Our visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, where we met with the Director, Hajiya Falmata Garba was a success.
‘We informed her of the Foundation’s new office in Borno and discussed the key focus of our advocacy activities in the state, which includes, education (especially of the girl child), female emancipation, gender-based violence, and health.”
She said the NGO will partner with the El-kanemi Foundation to offer the displaced girls in the Almaskin IDP camp, educational opportunities, books, and writing supplies to enable them further their studies.
“Also, we will be rehabilitating sex workers relocated from Barka Dazuwa and providing them with educational opportunities and support to start a viable trade for economic subsistence,” she said.
She added that the organization will also be educating the girl child on menstrual hygiene as well as provision of hygiene kits for schools within the state.
