Oyebanji's wife solicits Ekiti Monarchs support on Girl child education

 

By Ayo Ajofoyinbo 

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has solicited the continuous support and counsel of Ekiti Monarchs in ensuring proper education of girl child in their communities.

The Governor's Wife during an Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), engagement session with the Traditional Rulers in Ado-Ekiti noted the importance of the Monarchs to ensure girls of school age are enrolled in school and retained with the assurance of completing their studies to gaining sufficient education and skills for a life long empowerment. 

According to the first lady, there are still some traditional practices and belief responsible for keeping girls out of school which can best be addressed with the maximum support of the Monarchs

"we also need you to help address the myths and practices among our people which is decimating the lives of our young girls, preventing them from having access to education for empowerment. Some people still believe that “Girls are not supposed to be educated or aspire to be anything. We will be losing a lot of God given gifts and potentials, if this is not addressed urgently". She lamented.

Dr Oyebanji appeal to the Royal Father's to ensure that all AGILE projects in their domain are well supervised in order for them to enjoy more dividends of safe learning environment.

"It is important to state that schools or communities which did not use the funds advanced to them judiciously will not be able to participate in future support". She said.

Sensitizing the Royal Fathers, Mr Nelson Akerele, a consultant with Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology lamented the ripple effects of teenage pregnancy and FGM in Ekiti State calling for intervention of the Obas in curbing the menace in their communities.

In their separate contributions, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi advocated strict sanctions on perpetuators of Sexual violence at grassroot level.

They reiterated that as custodian of culture, it is important for the Royal Fathers to lead advocacy for girl child education and ensure that out of school children return to school.

Responding, the chairman Council of traditional rulers in Ekiti State, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon who is the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, appreciated the Governor's Wife for the sensitization and called for holistic approach that would put an end to sexual harassment, child molestation as well as other vices prevalent in various communities across Ekiti State.