According to Mrs Zuwaira Gambo, the Borno Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, the state government places a high value on girl-child education.
Gambo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Saturday that Gov. Babagana Zulum directed that the intake into the newly established mega schools be 60% girls and 40% boys based on the priority attention.
She also stated that the government encourages girls who excel, particularly those from low-income families, to continue their education, and that more than 100 girls have been sponsored to study medicine so far.
“There is also a deliberate policy on the ground that government skills acquisition centers should target women and youths,” she added.
“We also include physically challenged people in all of our programs.”
Gambo stated that discussions and consultations for the passage of the Child Rights and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Acts had reached an advanced stage.
“We just returned from a meeting on the Child Rights Act and had already met with relevant stakeholders and addressed all grey areas,” she said.
We are just waiting for the final public hearing, after which the House of Assembly will pass the bill for the Governor’s signature.
“With regard to the VAPP Act, we held a public hearing and the bill passed Second Reading in the Assembly.” We’re just waiting for the Third Reading and passage.”