The Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, says the house will enact laws that will promote the education and emancipation of the girl-child in the state.
Kolawole gave the assurance in a goodwill message to mark the 2017 International Day of the Girl-Child on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Femi Olugbemi.
He said the house would support and promote every cause that would enable women and girls to take their rightful positions in society.
He said despite the fact that the country was out of recession, the challenges confronting the girl-child which ranged from deliberate deprivations to gender-related violence, were enormous.
The speaker emphasised the need for stakeholders in the state to join forces in enhancing the wellbeing of women and the girl-child.
He also said that the assembly was determined to collaborate with the executive arm and other stakeholders to empower girls in the state no matter the odds.
Kolawole said, “I will continue to promote those attributes that are geared towards emancipating the womenfolk and for them to take their rightful position in society.”
The speaker commended President Muhammadu Buhari for securing the release of Chibok girls and expressed optimism that the rest still in captivity would also regain their freedom soon.
He commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for appointing women into key positions and assured him that the assembly would always collaborate with him to improve the wellbeing of girls in the state.
Kolawole recalled that the state assembly was among the first set of legislative houses in the country to pass the Child Rights Law.
He called on parents and caregivers to prioritise the needs of their female children and wards and stressed that the girl-child should be empowered adequately to face life challenges.
NAN
