The Bauchi State government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing access to education for the girl-child.

Ladi Hamma, state coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, said this on Thursday at an event to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC).

The event was organised by AGILE in collaboration with the state ministry of education.

The theme of the day was “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”.

Ms Hamma said every girl had the right to education and a future, urging adolescent girls to dream big and resist pressures that could cut short their education.

She urged parents to allow their daughters to acquire more education and avoid marrying them off at an early age.

Abdulkadir Ibrahim, Commissioner for Education, said the state government would sustain investments in quality education, including the recruitment of qualified teachers, provision of learning materials and renovation of schools.

“When you educate a girl child, you educate an entire generation,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim enjoined parents to support their children, especially girls, to complete their education.

He said protecting girls’ rights was central to the state’s education policy and urged traditional leaders, parents and stakeholders to support the campaign against child marriage.

Also, Lydia Tsamani, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, stressed the need for stakeholders to renew their commitment to ending child and forced marriages, as well as violence against girls.

Ms Tsamani was represented by Ahmed Mohammed, director of child development in the ministry.

“We must ensure every girl stays in school,” he said.

The wife of the Bauchi State governor, Aisha Mohammed and a former education secretary, Asabe Hamma, who served as role models at the event, shared their life experiences to encourage the girls to embrace education and skills development.

In a paper presentation, Lydia Shehu, director of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urged girls to avoid early marriage and become women of impact.

The event was attended by representatives of youth groups, women’s groups and development organisations. 

(NAN)