Foundation seeks equal opportunity for girl-child in Gombe
……. 50 Vulnerable girls get inaugurated in Balanga
Chima Azubuike
The Head of Department Science Education Gombe State University (GSU), Prof. Mary Erasmus-Sule, has sought for equal opportunity for the girl-child to attain qualitative education in Gombe.
Erasmus-Sule, made this known shortly before the inauguration of 50 beneficiaries of Adda Girl Education Foundation, in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, as occasion’s Chairperson.
Recall that the foundation which was founded by the first female Appeal Court President Zainab Bulkachuwa, seeks to adopt 200 Gombe girls into its fold, already 100 have been mop up from Nafada, Akko LGA’s with Balanga totalling 150.
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According to her, parents should dismember visible barriers impeding the academic wellbeing of the girl-child, adding that with adequate education girls could attain their dreams.
“Just like Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, Okonjo Iweala, Amina Mohammed, whose parents gave a chance to attain what they want to be, parents should give their children equal chances,” Erasmus-Sule said.
She added that parents are more positioned to deconstruct nuances surrounding children especially the girl-child.
Speaking earlier, Programme Manager of the Foundation, Samira Galadima, who spoke about the importance of education in the life of a girl-child, described this year’s theme as apt “Our time is now – our rights, our future”.
She disclosed that the vision of the scholarship opportunity, was to bridge the gap existing currently.
“We vision a society where at every decision making point, there is a girl-child (woman),”Galadima said.
The Programme Manager who judged the selection as fair noted that beneficiaries would be mentored towards becoming great personalities, aside free tuition, and side attractions.
She added, “The foundation will bring the best in the public and private sectors towards closing the gender gaps in education and securing a better future for girls. The foundation’s main objective is to build a new set of female leaders empowered with the education and leadership skills required to make positive changes in Nigeria.
“Girls from vulnerable families, girls that without support will find it difficult to complete school or might have to drop out. The SBMC’s brought those girls to us we don’t know them. We interviewed the girls after that, selected those that met the criteria.”
On her part, The Foundation’s Consultant, Hannatu Yaro, said out of 100 potential beneficiaries in Balanga, they settled for 50 with compelling demands for the Adda girl education intervention.
Also, Paramount ruler of Balanga, Bala Waja Alh. Danjuma Muhammad, who was represented by Aliyu Usman, the Chokalin waja, lauded the initiative, adding that other philanthropists should adopt similar method towards ensuring development of the society.
Muhammad who performed the investiture on the 50 girls urged them to utilise the scholarship opportunity well.
He said, “for anything that affects children in the local government the Bala waja is interested.”
Speaking, Representative of Child Path Foundation Abuja, Engr. Umar Yahaya Ibrahim, lauded the Adda Girl Education Foundation for the initiative.
Yahaya said, “We came with our own gift, we will support beneficiaries study in Germany, Cyprus, Turkey, London but we want the best students to represent us as Nigerians.”
Commending the efforts of the Foundation a Person With Disability Queenie Abu, said she had given up on realising her potential prior to the time she got the scholarship.
A visibly elated 22-year-old Abu, disclosed that she faced alot of impediment, “My challenges ranged from finances, health issues. I was born without issues but for insect that my mum said bite me. My leg hurts me, when I’m walking, or carrying out farming activities. I also have hearing deformity, I can’t hear with one of my ears.”
Speaking further about how the scholarship would transform her life, Abu said she would become better for it following her determination to become successful in life.
“I want to become a sociologist, I chose Christian Religious Studies and Sociology in Federal University Kashere. Before I use to sit down to cry over my pains. I want to appreciate Adda Girl Education Foundation, our mummy Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa retd. may God reward her,” Abu added.
