The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, vacated his seat for a 16-year-old gender advocate, Miss Isabel Anani, on Thursday, to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child. The symbolic gesture was made during a plenary session and highlighted the theme of this year’s event: Girls’ Vision for the Future.
Miss Anani, a fierce advocate for gender equality and the youngest member of the Technical Working Group for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Nigeria, took her seat as the ‘Speaker for a Day’ while female students from public secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed the historic moment. Anani’s appointment followed a rigorous selection process where she emerged as the top candidate among several young Nigerian girls.
Before vacating his seat, Hon. Abbas expressed the House’s commitment to supporting girls’ empowerment and education. He emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment where girls can thrive, recognizing their potential to contribute to a better future. “Isabel’s remarkable leadership and advocacy for girls’ rights remind us of the critical role young girls play in overcoming barriers and shaping a better tomorrow,” Abbas said.
Read more: The Independence Generation: Stories of Nigerians Born in 1960 – What it Felt Like
Anani’s moment in the Speaker’s chair was not just ceremonial. She presided over discussions on crucial matters affecting girls and women, including motions on education, drug abuse, and the amendment of the Child’s Rights Act. In her ruling, Anani mandated the House Committees on Women Affairs and Social Development and Basic Education and Services to engage relevant agencies to promote education and protect the rights of young girls across the nation.
Addressing the House, Anani’s speech resonated with lawmakers and attendees alike. “I envision a future where every girl, regardless of her background, has the opportunity to flourish,” she declared. Anani passionately advocated for equal access to education, healthcare, and a life free from violence. Her vision for the future called for an end to societal discrimination based on gender, and for girls to be seen as vital contributors in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and politics.
The House members, led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, passed a motion urging agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to collaborate with schools and community organizations to combat drug abuse among youth. Additionally, they called for the swift amendment of the Child’s Rights Act to enhance protections for sexually abused children and promote gender equality.
Read more: The Things-Fall-Apart-Okonkwo Debate: Can Idris Elba Roll Fufu?
Anani’s inspiring speech highlighted the role of young girls in tackling global issues like climate change, economic instability, and healthcare. “We need to ensure that for every girl, there is access to quality healthcare, education, and protection from harmful practices,” Anani said, emphasizing that without these basic rights, girls cannot dream or achieve their full potential.
