ASABA/Nigeria: Former Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for stronger investment in girls’ education, protection and economic empowerment, urging governments and communities to remove barriers that prevent girls from reaching their full potential.
Okowa made the call in a statement on Sunday, October 11, to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, where he reaffirmed his commitment to advancing opportunities for girls and young women.
The former governor, who is seeking election to represent Delta North Senatorial District in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his advocacy for the girl child was driven by the recognition of the contributions girls could make to society when given the necessary support.
“I have always believed in the girl child, and I am unapologetically biased in her favour,” he said.
This year’s International Day of the Girl Child is being observed under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with a focus on protecting girls from harmful practices and expanding their access to education, safety and opportunities.
Okowa stressed that every girl should have access to quality education, adequate protection, skills development and the resources needed to build an independent future. He warned that discrimination and social restrictions should not determine the opportunities available to girls.
“No girl should be held back by circumstances, discrimination or limitations imposed by society,” he said.
He added that investing in girls would deliver benefits beyond individual development, strengthening families and communities while creating better prospects for future generations.
During his eight-year administration as governor of Delta State, from 2015 to 2023, Okowa introduced the Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme (GEST) through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child Empowerment.
The programme provided entrepreneurship and skills training for young women aged 18 to 30 across the state’s 25 local government areas, with the objective of promoting self-reliance and expanding access to livelihood opportunities.
Figures provided on the programme show that 437 of its 450 pioneer trainees received starter packs to establish their businesses, representing more than 95 per cent of the initial cohort.
GEST formed part of the administration’s Stronger Delta Agenda, which included efforts to encourage youth entrepreneurship and expand the state’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises sector.
While highlighting the initiative, Okowa called for sustained action to ensure that the annual celebration of the girl child translates into practical improvements in girls’ lives.
“On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us move beyond celebrating girls to creating the conditions that enable them to thrive. Every girl deserves the opportunity to become all she is capable of being,” he said.
