IWD 2025: Alia insists on education of girl child to guarantee gender equality 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

As Nigerians joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has insisted on education of girl child to guarantee gender equality in the society.

He said women remain the cradle of life and society, stressing the need for all stakeholders to invest in the education of girl children, as it is the most powerful weapon against oppression and relegation.

The governor stated this on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, on the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.

Alia, who spoke  through his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula in a statement in Makurdi, described the contributions of women as vital, saying that without the women, communities would get weakened, the economy would suffer and families would forever be searching for a direction.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, who acknowledged the key roles played by Benue women in the areas of farming, trade, lawmaking, teaching, policymaking, as physicians and nurses etc., called on the male folks never to look down on the women.

“Here in Benue, our women are not just mothers in the genuine sense of the world; they are farmers, traders, lawmakers, teachers, specialists, and policymakers. Without their contributions, our economy would stall, our communities would weaken, and our families would forever be searching for a direction.”

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He described this year’s theme of the celebration, which is “Advance Action,” as timely, urging all stakeholders to speed up actions aimed at achieving gender equality, addressing the slow pace of progress among women, thereby empowering them and the girl child.

“Despite their invaluable role, very many women still struggle in the regressive waters of inequality. Some are denied education, they force others into early marriage, and many still bear the weight of harmful cultural practices. We must therefore speed up action to change this narrative”, the governor explained.

The Governor, who described his administration as one that is favourable to the women, considering the number of women appointees who are not just participants but decision-makers in governance.

According to the Governor, priority has been handed out to empowerment programmes for the women in the 2025 budget of the State, revealing that grants and soft loans will be offered to the women through their cooperative groups, to kick-start trade, agriculture, petty-businesses and several other ventures capable of improving their per person income and self-reliance.

While calling on all to raise their voices for the women who cannot speak and to help push aside barriers that hold women down, the Governor emphasized on the need to invest in the education, empowerment and uplifting of women, insisting that every child, regardless of gender or background, should have access to quality education. 

“This is not just a moral duty; it is an investment in a brighter and more prosperous future,” the governor stated