The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) is set to launch the Girl Child Education Volunteers’ Advocates (GICEVA) initiative in Nigeria. This important program will be officially introduced at the upcoming International Conference on Girl Child Education, taking place on October 10-11, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The GICEVA initiative aims to mobilize volunteers from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Community Development Service (CDS) Groups. These volunteers will play a key role in encouraging girl-child enrollment in local governments across Nigeria.
Dr. Ebenezer Leo, Head of the Education Department at NGF, highlighted the significance of this initiative, saying, “GICEVA represents a grassroots approach to tackling the challenges of girl-child education. By engaging youth corps members, we aim to create a wide network of advocates who can drive change in their communities.”
The two-day conference, themed “Girl Child Empowerment Through Quality Education,” will be the official launch platform for GICEVA. The event will also introduce the Face of the Girl Child Ambassadors program, which recognizes academic excellence among female graduates and empowers them to promote girls’ education in their states.
Key elements of the GICEVA initiative include:
- Volunteer Mobilization: Engaging NYSC members and CDS Groups to support girl-child education.
- Advocacy Training: Providing volunteers with necessary skills to effectively advocate for the cause.
- Community Outreach: Aiming to boost girl-child enrollment in local governments across Nigeria.
- Collaboration with Stakeholders: Partnering with education commissioners, development partners, and donor agencies to create a comprehensive approach to girl-child education.
At the conference, state Commissioners of Education will also sign a Declaration affirming their commitment to support and fund girl-child education up to the Senior Secondary School level. This declaration, developed in partnership with global organizations dedicated to promoting girls’ education, shows a united effort to tackle educational inequalities.
“Through GICEVA and our other initiatives, we’re not just talking about change – we’re actively creating it,” Dr. Leo stated. “We believe that by empowering volunteers and building a network of advocates, we can significantly increase girl-child enrollment and retention in schools across Nigeria.”
