YABA LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA DECLARES SUPPORT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD

The Yaba Local council Development Area (YLCDA) of Lagos state became the first Local council area in Lagos state and in Nigeria to declare support for the International Day of the Girl Child which was celebrated on 11th October, 2011. The YLCDA, Centre for 21st Century issues and other partner Non Governmental Organizations celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child with over 100 girls from All Saints Primary school, Yaba; Akoka Girls High school, Akoka, Yaba; and Onike High School.
Accomplished women’s rights activists such as Dr Keziah Awosika, Ms Bose Ironis, Ms. Comfort Ogunye, Ms Olutosin Oladosu Adebowale, Ms Bimbo Juniad, Ms Bernard Sowho and Ms Betty Abah mentored the girls on challenges of early marriage, sexual health rights, economic empowerement, leadership and transformation.
Towards the end of the event, Mr Abel Enikanologbon the supervisory councillor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in the local government made the following declaration on behalf of Hon Jide Jimoh the YLCDA Chairman;
WHEREAS equality and universal access to education for every Girl and Boy are among the United Nations Millennium Development Goals supported by 189 countries including Nigeria and
WHEREAS the United Nations established October 11 as the annual International Day of the Girl Child supported and co-sponsored by the Nigeria and 97 other countries and
WHEREAS The Day of the Girl campaign calls on communities across the globe to recognise that girls worldwide face many injustices such as discrimination, gender stereotypes, child marriage and lack of education and empowers girls to fight for their rights and
WHEREAS the Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, in Nigeria joins Centre For 21st Century Issues, Women Law and Development Centre, Nigeria, Idea Builders Initiative, Arise Nigeria Woman, Child-Maternal and Youth Leadership Initiative and other organizations in Nigeria supports increasing girls participation in sports, science, and math-related activities, high school graduation rate and providing equal opportunities for all girls by speaking out against gend-based injustices, celebrating all girls potential and encouraging all girls to pursue their dreams and
THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that I Honourable Jide Jimoh, Chairman of Yaba LCDA hereby do proclaim October 11 2012 as the Day of the Girl in Yaba LCDA, Lagos, Nigeria.