Int’l Day of the Girl Child: Gov. Akeredolu Has Kept Faith With SDGs, Falana Says
As the world celebrates the girl child in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, day approved by the United Nations and dedicated to creating awareness about the rights and empowerment of girls, the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, is said to have been fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in favour of girl children.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Gender, Chief Mrs Olamide Falana, gave the stance on Wednesday in a news release he personally signed and made available to the media as part of the activities marking the day.
The statement reads: “The welfare of the girl child has consistently been a front burner theme for Ondo State Government under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, whose unyeilding commitment to gender issues in the state has been unmatched.
“In making certain that the girl remains a priority in the scheme of things, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as enunciated by the United Nations have been strategically implemented with special consideration for girl children through the state initiatives and the gender office.”
Falana, who also noted that the government continues to give the girl child a pride of place through education, empowerment, enabling policies and laws, said it is something to be proud of that girls in Ondo State are ahead in unique ways.
In her words: “Being part of the commemoration of this special day, the gender office has put in place coordinated activities of through Gender Desk officers across the 18 LGAs in the state, all in a bid to enhance the status of the girl child.
“Other notable efforts of government include the signing of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2021 which protects Ondo state girls from all forms of gender-based violence, making sure that girls finish school and earn school certificate through payment for registration fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for indigent students, support for special initiatives that empower girls with skills in ICT notable among which is the award winning Bemore initiative of First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and lots more.”
She described the event as pleasurable, saying: “The gender office recommits itself to their welfare of every girl child and wishes girl children a truly a happy celebrations.”