Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has solicited the continuous support lof traditional institution in ensuring proper education of girl child in their communities.
The Governor’s Wife during an Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), engagement session with the Traditional Rulers in Ado-Ekiti noted the importance of the Monarchs to ensure that girls of school age were enrolled in school and retained with the assurance of completing their studies to gaining sufficient education and skills for a life empowerment.
According to the first lady, there are some traditional practices and belief responsible for keeping girls out of school which can best be addressed with the maximum support of the Monarchs
“we also need you to help address the myths and practices among our people which is decimating the lives of our young girls, preventing them from having access to education for empowerment. Some people still believe that “Girls are not supposed to be educated or aspire to be anything” We will be losing a lot of God’s given gifts and potentials, if this is not addressed urgently”. She lamented.
Dr Oyebanji appealed to the Royal Father’s to ensure that all AGILE projects in their domain are well supervised in order for them to enjoy more dividends of safe learning environments.
“It is important to state that schools or communities which did not use the funds advanced to them judiciously will not be able to participate in future support”. She said.
In their separate contributions, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye advocated strict sanctions on perpetuators of Sexual violence at grassroots level.
They noted that as custodian of culture it is important for the Royal Fathers to lead advocacy for girl child education and ensure that out of school children return to school.
Responding, the chairman traditional council of Obas in Ekiti State, oba Gabriel Adejuwon who is the onisan of isan Ekiti, appreciated the Governor’s Wife for the sensitization and called for holistic approach that would put an end to sexual harassment, child molestation as well as other vices prevalent in various communities across the state.
Busuyi Ogidiolu
