- India reconfirmed its backing for the education and empowerment of girl children in Nigeria
- This forms part of endeavours aimed at inclusive growth as well as consolidation of relations with Nigeria
India has reemphasized its interest in further promoting girl-child education and empowerment in Nigeria as part of its overall bid to nurture inclusive growth as well as develop bilateral ties.
India's High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria, Ambassador Abhishek Singh, spoke in Abuja on the International Day of the Girl Child.
The event saw participation of approximately 2,000 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, where gift parcels were given out and the girls were motivated to chase their dreams with confidence.
Abhishek underscored that the Day of the Girl Child brings to the fore the global community's role in raising the voices, rights, and aspirations of the girl child across the world.
He underlined India's history of friendship with Nigeria, robust people-to-people connections, and common past of cooperation.
He also mentioned the fact that there are more than 50,000 Indians living in Nigeria, with over 200 Indian-owned businesses investing over $27 billion and hiring thousands of Nigerians, with Indian companies standing as the second-largest employers in the nation after the federal government.
He spoke about India's progress in women's contribution to the labour force, from 22 percent in 2017–18 to 40.3 percent in 2023–24, and women contributing 18 percent to India's GDP, and highlighted steps for the enhancement of women's contribution to all walks of life.
Abhishek praised Nigeria's Renewed Hope Agenda that puts the spotlight on women's empowerment, social protection, and inclusive growth and stated that India was keen to exchange its development experiences.
Addressing the students, Singh encouraged them to pursue their dreams with strength, invoking India's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, designed to promote girls' education and empowerment.
He cited examples of Indian women leaders, noting that women have held India's highest offices as Prime Minister and President, and citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "When a girl rises, a family grows and a nation shines."
Dr. Muhammed Ladan, FCT Secondary Education Board Director/Secretary, thanked the Indian High Commission for its patronage and reiterated the commitment of the board to gender equality, safe learning environment, and girls' mentorship and leadership initiatives.
Dr. Fatima Mohammed, school principal, also thanked the High Commission and Indian companies that took part for their continued patronage of girls' education in Nigeria.
The occasion was hosted by the Indian High Commission in association with a number of Indian firms based in Nigeria, such as Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd., Sacvin Nigeria Ltd., Diva Sanitary Pads, Aviva Industries Nigeria Ltd., RR Paper Products Nig. Ltd., and Merchant Investors Ltd., to address about 2,000 students as part of the International Day of the Girl Child.
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