By Jacinta Nwachukwu
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annet Gūnther, has urged Nigerian government to make necessary efforts to give opportunities and good framework for young women to thrive.
Gūnther stated this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Girl-child.
She underscored the need to encourage young women to take opportunities, saying that more chances for women meant a safer society.
The ambassador said that the German government supported the reform of the Nigerian Police Force, as women played a crucial part in it.
According to her, the project goes beyond the idea of equality. It is about making the Police Force an institution that serves everyone.
On women’s inclusiveness, ‘A day German Ambassador’, Miss comfort Edmond, said it was high time government considered women in governance and other opportunities in nation building.
“When girls are given a chance, they build nations.
“We all know that when a girl child is educated, she becomes a light that transforms her community, strengthens her family and empowers the whole nation.
“Education is the line between limitation and liberation, and when we educate our girls, we transform generations.
“Another barrier facing the girl-child in Nigeria is child marriage. Nigeria is home to over 25 million brides, the highest number in Africa,” Edmond said.
She noted the belief in some quarters that early child marriage is the tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.
“But I tell you today that there is no strongest tool like education to break the cycle of poverty.
“Today, I speak not only for myself, but for millions of girls, who are out there waiting for their dreams to be seen, heard and believed in. This moment, to me, is more than a title,” she stated.
Edmond, therefore, called on the Nigerian governments, together with the Germany government, to join forces and invest in safe and inclusive education.
On her part, Dr Helen Idiong, Director of Programme Quality and Influencing, Plan International Nigeria, said that many girls in Nigeria were undergoing lots of crises.
“Nigeria is the headquarters of child rights in Africa, yet every three girls married off before the age of 18, Nigeria has two, hence the need for more advocacy for girl-child education nationwide,” she said.
According to her, Plan International Nigeria is a child rights organisation that is very passionate and focused on girls.
Idiong described the occasion as one of the series of its events to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl-child.
The Day is celebrated on Oct. 11 of every year to honour the strength, spirit and leadership of the girl-child.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis.”
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