In line with its core values of educational development philosophy, the Boss Friendship Club (BFC), a Non- governmental Organisation (NGO) in conjunction with World Dynasty Pageant, has initiated the Pan-African Girl Child Education campaign in Nigeria.
At the flag off of the campaign in Abuja, recently, district governor of BFC in Nigeria, Dr. Edet Ekpenyong, in his welcome address said the club, through the campaign, aims to support, contribute and sponsor over 10,000 girl-child in Nigeria and other African countries, to ensure they achieve their educational pursuits.
This, according to him, would help the girl-child build her leadership potentials and contribute to the development of her individual country in Africa.
Edet recalled that in November 2013, the BFC board began its first strategic planning process to build a solid foundation for the club’s early growth, adding that the plan, with four strategic initiatives to guide the BFC’s development, was reviewed by the club’s leadership, which led to the creation of a volunteer implementation team.
“The initiatives guided the collective efforts of the BFC, staff, board and membership which resulted in the initiative of girl child empowerment in Africa and the De-Boss Legendary Award was imitated to serve as a platform where leaders are rewarded and encouraged for outstanding leadership or good governance”, Edet explained.
With the challenge of transiting from monumental progress to transformative impact on the society, which requires aligning and scaling up corporate sustainability, efforts and partnerships on a massive scale, the Boss governor stated that the Pan-African Girl Child Education campaign would put forward, “this new ideology and begin a process of engaging business participants and key stakeholders in human capital development in Africa.
The chairman of the event, who is also the Board chairman of BFC, HRH Shaban Audu, pointed out that educating a girl child had a transformational effect that would change communities and societies.
He stressed that education empowered girls by introducing ways of thinking about traditions and challenges of traditionally-held gender roles.
Presenting his paper titled: “Girl Child Education, Democratic Governance, and Sustainable Development in Africa: A call for action,” Dr. Dan Mou, a member of the Presidential Jobs Board in the Presidency, Abuja, urged Nigerians to stop lamenting over the nagging issue of girl- child education.
Mou examined, critically, the girl-child education, democratic governance, and sustainable development in Africa, and pointed out that in the last few decades, “it is no longer news that gender and women groups of all kinds have emerged across the world, calling and demanding for equal rights and participation in all facets of political, social, educational and cultural life of their nations and societies.
In a goodwill message, the FCT Police Commissioner, represented by Mr. Tony Olafu, commended the Boss Friendship Club for its foresight in championing the cause of girl-child education in Africa.
“When you train a woman, it will go a long way to enhance security of a nation because women are, basically, one of the custodians of the family”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr. A. O Ibezim, who stood in for the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, applauded the efforts of the BFC and called for cooperation between it and the FRSC.