From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, yesterday, vacated his seat, temporarily, for a 16-year-old gender advocate, Isabel Anani, as the House held a special session to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
Abbas, before vacating his seat, announced to his colleagues that Anani will shadow him during the day’s plenary and in meetings, as part of effort by the House to celebrate the girl child and empower young leaders.
According to him, “in recognition of this special occasion, we have the privilege of welcoming girls from public secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory, who are present today to observe our proceedings. Their presence is a reminder of the importance of investing in the education and empowerment of young girls in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the House is proud to introduce Ms Isabel Anani, our ‘Speaker for the Day.’ Isabel is a remarkable young leader and a Girl Advocate for Gender Equality. She is also the youngest member of the Technical Working Group for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Nigeria as well as a UNICEF Young Influencer. Isabel was chosen for this prestigious role after emerging first among candidates across Nigeria, following an open call and a rigorous interview process.
“Throughout the day, she will shadow the Rt. Hon. Speaker, during today’s plenary session and in meetings, as part of our effort to empower young leaders. In the spirit of this celebration, I call on all Honourable Members to join me in a round of applause for Isabel and for all Nigerian girls who continue to demonstrate immense strength, ambition, and determination in overcoming barriers.”
The “Shadow speaker”, after taking her seat, amid a round of applause and standing ovation from leadership and members of the House, as well as the observers at the gallery, presided over a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, on ‘Commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.’
The House, adopted the prayers of the motion, urging the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), alongside other stakeholders, to collaborate with schools, community organisations, and religious institutions to educate the public on drug abuse dangers and promote a drug-free lifestyle and to make provision for rehabilitation.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Education to devise practical ways, such as implementing mobile education units or community outreach programs, to educate out-of-school girls across the 36 states of the federation.
Similarly, the parliament charged the leadership of the National Assembly to amend the Child’s Rights Act to provide protection for sexually abused children, and ensure the domestication of the Child’s Right Act throughout the nation through the conference of speakers.
The ‘Shadow Speaker’ mandated the House Committees on Women Affairs and Social Development, and Basic Education and Services to engage the NDLEA, Federal Ministry of Education, the NOA, and other stakeholders by organising workshops, creating awareness campaigns, and monitoring progress to ensure compliance.
Anani, who is the winner of the Girl Takeover Initiative, who has just gained university admission to study engineering, while addressing the House said “for me, I envision a future where every girl regardless of where she comes from has an opportunity to flourish; where education isn’t seen as a high-pedestal privilege, but as an essential tool to equip girls to make important decisions that affect them, and ultimately the places they come from.
“I want a future where we don’t have to combat all the overwhelming experiences of childhood and adolescence alone; where girls aren’t discriminated against because of their bodily functions, and are encouraged when they want to take firm hold of the mantle in places like STEM and politics and feel safe, feel wanted.”