Global girlchild education icon, Malala Yusufzai, has highlighted the significant number of girls worldwide who do not have the opportunity to receive an education.
The Nobel Laureate was speaking, Tuesday, July 11 in Maiduguri, during a courtesy call on Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.
The Pakistan-born girlchild education activist, who was in Borno State as part of her visit to Nigeria, marking her 23rd birthday, was accompanied by her father, Mr. Yusufza, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, and other personalities.
“My visit is to remind the world to think about the hundreds of millions of girls around the world who still do not have access to education,” the activist disclosed.
“There are many girls out there who have the potential to go and change their communities,” Malala observed, stressing, “We need to ensure that they get the chance to get their education and follow their dreams.”
The Nobel Laureate expressed joy and gratitude that Nigeria has made significant strides in education and credited this progress to the country’s determination and hope.
She, however, expressed worry about the safety and security of, and investment in, girl child education in the country.
The UN Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, had earlier said Malala’s visit to Nigeria would also facilitate the SDGs assessment with regard to girl child education.
Responding, Governor Zulum expressed grief that about two-thirds of women in the North-West and North-East have not acquired Western education.
He, however, disclosed that the state government enrolled 500,000 girls in public schools in the state.
