General News
THE Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Plan International, an NGO, to promote gender equality and protect the rights of the girl child.
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, spoke during the signing of the MoU on Thursday in Abuja alongside the Country Director, Plan International, Mr Charles Usie.
Olawande said that Plan International was known for supporting, advancing capacity and leadership development for the youths.
According to the minister, the partners will harmonise their efforts in order to produce better result.
“Our primary mission remains the same; that is to empower young people to become self-reliant, socially responsible and active contributors to the development of Nigeria.
“Our cooperation will focus on promoting the development, wellbeing and health of youths with particular focus on girls and young women, considering the limitations they face.’’
The minister said that as the world celebrated the International Day for the Girl Child on Friday, he would vacate his seat for the winner of 2024 essay competition to serve as a minister for the day.
“This is to signify my commitment and that of the ministry to supporting the development of leadership capacity for the girl child and to create opportunities for them to take part in the decision making process,” he said.
Olawande said that they would work together on specific initiatives that promote quality education, healthcare, economic opportunities, empowerment and leadership development for young people.
According to him, the focus is on five areas which are youth empowerment and leadership development, education and skill development, health and wellbeing including sexual and reproductive health.
He said other areas of focus were protection from violence, exploitation and abuse and promoting gender equality and inclusion.
In his address, Usie said that the minister made a tremendous effort for the partnership by visiting their office with ministry’s team.
He said that Plan International was a global organisation set up eighty five years ago to seek for the right of children
According to him, the organisation is one of the global organisations set up 85 years ago to seek for the right of the children, equity for girls and young people.
He said that the organisation had 85 years’ experience across 75 countries.
Usie said that the organisation was set up 10 years ago in Nigeria and that the MOU was for five years.
“With the signing of the MoU, we now have added more flavour to our work.
“We will do our job so that anytime the people can hold us accountable,” he said.
Usie said that as they had gathered to look for solution, the government must lead the way; create opportunities and create the pathways.
“As we sign this MoU, it is the accumulation of work that happened several months ago,” he said.(NAN)
11th October, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Ayodele Olawande Charles Usie Charles Usie. federal government Ministry of State for Youth Development Plan International
