Members of helpline with Dr Ramatu Aliyu FCT minister of state
By Salisu Sani-Idris
October 11, 2020
Covid-19 Lockdown: Foundation to unveil book on girlchild experiences, aspirations
An Abuja based NGO, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has concluded plans to launch a book on reports of child rights abuse recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown.
President of the Foundation, Dr Jumai Ahmadu made the disclosure at a news conference, on Sunday in Abuja, as part of activities to celebrate the 2020 International Day of the Girl Child.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the titled of the book which would be launch on Monday is ; “My COVID-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience.”
Ahmadu noted that due to the high reports of child rights abuse recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, the foundation tasked girls to write down their experiences, challenges and aspirations.
According to her, these stories have been compiled into a book, which would be launched by the foundation on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020.
“The International Day of the Girl Child is here. We have looked forward with excitement to this day, as Helpline Foundation Launches one of the most important books this year, “My Covid-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience”.
“I asked girls to write down their experiences, challenges and aspirations, these stories have been compiled into a book, which will be launched.
” Everyone can get a copy and read to really know what goes on in the minds of girls,” she said.
She revealed that members of the Helpline Voice of the Girls Parliament, paid an advocacy visits to FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, and Taiwo Oluga, the Chairman, Women in Parliament Committee of the Federal House of Representatives respectively.
” While receiving the Helpine parliamentarians, the FCT Minister of State, Aliyu, appreciated the girls and promised to continue to support every project that would improve the lives and education of girls in the territory.
” The minister noted that the Social Development Secretariat of the FCT under her purview was working assiduously towards the protection, education of the girl child and skills aquisition.
“Also Oluga, Chairman, Women in Parliament Committee of the Federal House of Representatives also appreciated the girls and promised to support them in every way she could.
” Oluga also noted that the House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, was more commited than ever to making policies that would improve the lives of the girl child.
” Oluga also informed members of the Voice of the Girls Parliament that deapite the low number of female National Assembly members, they are working very hard to ensure more gender friendly bills are passed.
Ahmadu concluded that the highpoint of the advocacy visits was the presentation of advocacy poems to each stakeholder during their visists.
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