Amina Buba Haruna is the national coordinator, Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). In this interview with ENE OSHABA, she gives assurance of brighter days for women especially the girl-child.
What is the AGILE project which you coordinate about?
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project is a 500-million-dollar initiative of the federal government with support from the World Bank to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in the current implementing states of Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Plateau. The project aims to improve adolescent girls’ access, retention, and completion of secondary education in the country by addressing the constraints, financial, socio-cultural, infrastructural, or health related.
As a girl-child advocate, how would you describe the status of the girl child in Nigeria?
The status of the Nigerian children is very bright as government, in recognition of her relevance in the society, has put and still putting measures/initiatives in place to address her challenge especially her right to access quality education. The National Gender Policy, and the Child Right Act are some of what government has to acknowledge the girl- child. The commemoration of the International Day of the girl-child is even an indication of the importance that has placed on the girl child.
Do you think the International Day of the Girl child is worth celebrating in Nigeria considering that girls are still facing myriads of challenges?
Nigerian girls are always worth celebrating. In as much as they face a myriad of challenges from early marriage, poverty, gender-based violence to malnutrition, it is encouraging that the federal government has put and is still putting measures (like the AGILE project) in place to tackle these challenges. The Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, for instance, has done a lot to tackle the out-of school menace and now, the AGILE project is putting measures in place to address some of the challenges faced by Nigerian girls in accessing quality education.
How would you assess investment in girls’ rights in Nigeria?
Government is doing all it can to ensure that the rights of Nigerian girls are protected. This is evident through the various existing programmes like BESDA and AGILE which are focused on improving girls’ access to quality education. It is also commendable that the federal government has put measures like the Child Rights Act and National Gender Policy in place to protect Nigerian girls and women. The onus lies on us to ensure that they are properly implemented.
Education is said to be the greatest gift to any child, yet Nigerian girls are in the majority of out-of-school children, according to statistics. Why is this so and who is to be blamed?
I think we all know the factors responsible for this. It is well known that there is the issue of low budgetary allocation and inadequate educational infrastructure, insecurity, poverty, socio-cultural and religious norms, etc. The good news is that these challenges are being tackled to ensure that the issue is drastically reduced in the country, if not totally eliminated.
What ways do you think Nigerian government can invest in the future of girls that would be meaningful?
Government is already putting measures in this regard.
How can government and stakeholders get involved in the development of girls, especially at the grassroot?
By creating enabling laws and programmes that promote education and skills acquisition to ensure that the girls are financially empowered and self-reliant.
Do you think there is hope for the Nigerian girls especially those in the north where you come from?
Yes! With the various sensitisations and advocacies alongside other development partners in the implementing states on the importance of girl-child education, many parents and communities are now more enlightened. Parents now allow their children access and complete secondary education in the northern region of the country. Like you acknowledged, I am from the northern part of the country and educated: so also are many women and girls who are doing well in their respective fields of endeavour.
Do you think Nigeria can achieve a demographic dividend in few years to come, what are the indices?
Yes, people are becoming aware of its impact on the economic well-being of the country although more sensitisation is needed to get more people on board.
