By Itodo Daniel Sule
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Thursday yielded his seat to 16-year-old Ms. Isabel Anani to preside over a special plenary session as part of the parliament’s activity to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.
Anani who is a Plan International’s Girls’ Right Advocate, was ushered in by the Speaker to briefly preside over the plenary in a symbolic show of the parliament’s support for the advancement of the girl child.
This is the first time in the history of the House of Representatives that a sitting Speaker would vacate his seat to allow a non-member of the House to preside over plenary.
Abbas had upon resumption of plenary informed members that there will be a ceremonial secession to honour the International Day of the Girl Child.
Anani was ushered in and accompanied by female students drawn from schools in the Federal Capital Territory, to conduct the proceedings.
A non-governmental and advocacy organisation, Plan International Nigeria, brought girls from various backgrounds and socio-economic profiles to the ceremony.
Before vacating his seat, Speaker Abbas said: “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.
“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.”
After taking the seat of the presiding officer, with a round of applause and standing ovation from leadership and members of the House, as well as the observers at the gallery, the ‘Shadow Speaker’ presided over the presentation of a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, titled ‘Commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.’
Ogbara in her motion which centred on the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, emphasised the need to address the challenges facing the advancement of the girl child in Nigeria.
Unanimously adopting the motion, the House resolved to urge 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.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Education to devise practical ways, such as implementing mobile education units or community outreach programmes to educate out-of-school girls across the 36 states of the federation.
Addressing the House before vacating the seat, Ms Anani, winner of the Girl Takeover Initiative who has just gained university admission to study engineering, said, she envisions “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.
“Now more than ever, we need girls to combat problems of climate change, political conflict, economic degeneration, diseases, and global unrest. We need to ensure that for every girl, there is access to healthcare that protects her and understands her needs; access to quality education that enables her to reach her potential; and safety from violence and harmful practices that affect her physically, emotionally and mentally.”
The United Nations has designated October 11 as the International Day for the Girl Child.
