Ezekwesili Calls For Increased Investment In Girl-Child’s Empowerment

FROM LEFT: CHAIRMAN, FINANCE COMMITTEE, LAGOS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, MRS  FUNMI TEJUOSO; WIFE OF THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, PAMELA SCHMOLL; FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, WORLD BANK (AFRICA),DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI; CREATIVE ARTIST OF THE FUTURE 2012 AWARD WINNER, BAYO OMOBORIOWO AND WIMBIZ CHAIRPERSON, OSAYI ALILE, AT THE LAUNCH OF 100 UNSUNG HEROINES PROJECT IN COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY IN LAGOS ON FRIDAY (7/3/14)
FROM LEFT: CHAIRMAN, FINANCE COMMITTEE, LAGOS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, MRS FUNMI TEJUOSO; WIFE OF THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, PAMELA SCHMOLL; FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, WORLD BANK (AFRICA),DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI; CREATIVE ARTIST OF THE FUTURE 2012 AWARD WINNER, BAYO OMOBORIOWO AND WIMBIZ CHAIRPERSON, OSAYI ALILE, AT THE LAUNCH OF 100 UNSUNG HEROINES PROJECT IN COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN LAGOS ON FRIDAY (7/3/14)

Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank Africa, on Friday urged government at all levels including parents to increase investment in the empowerment of the girl-child.

Ezekwesili stated this in Lagos at the launch of the “100 Unsung Heroines” project in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day.

She said that girls and women should be provided with the right environment and incentives for harnessing their potentials.

“We need to know that investing in country’s citizens should not be discriminatory between men and women.

“We need to invest in the productive abilities of the girl-child and women in our communities.

“We need to recognise the talents of the girl-child, as well as give them opportunities to make decisions.

“Let us make more Nigerian women and girls become celebrated heroines”, she said.

Ezekwesili expressed optimism that women and girls, if given opportunities would make meaningful contribution to their communities’ political and socioeconomic transformation.

She added that it was imperative for them to be motivated, and given access to effective and qualitative education.

Mrs Pamela Schmoll, wife of the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, said that history was full of unsung women in different parts of the world.

Schmoll noted that Nigerian women were not also spared of neglect, abuse, violence and discrimination.

“History is full of unsung women across the globe. We do not even have to look outside Nigeria for unsung heroines.

“Women often go unnoticed. We need to invest and truly appreciate the role of women in our society”, she said.

Mr Bayo Omoboriowo, the Project Initiator, said that the idea started while he was walking along Mushin market and decided to take photographs of some market women.

“Many of these women, I discovered in the process, have unique stories about themselves and petty trade.

“This project aims highlight the role of women in different communities and families, as well as to national economy development”, he said.

Omoboriowo, who called for support from individuals, public and private organisations, said the project would be extended across the six-geo political zones. (NAN)

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