Founder of the
Malala Fund and girls’ education activist, Malala Yousafzai has asked the
Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector.
She made the call
on Monday after a closed door meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at
the State House as part of activities to mark her visit to Nigeria, the second
in three years.
Malala, who led a
delegation of seven, said the education of girls and boys formed the major
highlights of her meeting with the Acting President.
The meeting was
attended by her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, other girl rights activists as well
as some members of the Federal Executive Council.
She urged state and
local governments to pay more attention to the goal which she described as
fundamental and called for transparency in the investment towards education as
well as the implementation of the Child Rights Act.
She applauded the
government’s efforts in the safe return of the over 100 Chibok schoolgirls and
further expressed hope that more would be released to end the deprivation of
education among the girl child in the country.
Malala last visited
Nigeria in 2014 shortly Boko Haram terrorists abducted some schoolgirls in
Chibok community of Borno State when she joined hundreds of people and groups
to condemn the act.
She had pressured
the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure the safe
return of the girls.
She had also called
on the international community to assist Nigeria and Africa in ensuring that
schoolchildren get quality education and urged governments across the continent
to increase funding for education.
She had announced a
donation of $200,000 from her foundation to support education in Nigeria.
In 2014, she was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17 alongside Kailash Satyarthi
for her fight for the right of girls to education.
The Norwegian Nobel
Committee noted that despite her youth, Malala fought for the right of girls to
education for several years and has shown by example that children and young
people can also contribute to improving their own situations.
They added that she
fought under the most dangerous circumstances and has become a leading
spokesperson for girls’ rights to education through her heroic struggle.
Source: - Channels Television | July
17, 2017
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