International Day of the Girl Child: Speaker Abbas Ceremonially Vacates Seat for 16-Year-Old Shadow Speaker
*As House Adopts Motion on Ways to Educate Out-Of-School Girls
By Juliet Vincent
The House of Representatives has joined the world to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.
This was disclosed by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr in a statement on Thursday.
He stated, “This day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to advocate for the rights of girls and address the challenges they face worldwide.
“This year, the observance took on a unique tone in the House of Representatives, featuring a ceremonial Plenary held in the Green Chamber,” he said.
According to him, it was in a bold expression of this year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, honoured the girl-child by vacating his seat for the 16-year-old gender advocate, Ms. Isabel Anani, to ‘shadow’ him throughout the day.
The statement quoted the Speaker at the special session describing the gesture as an unprecedented move by any Presiding Officer in Nigeria’s National Assembly—as part of the House’s effort to empower young leaders.
Speaker Abbas said, “I call on all Honourable Members to join me in a round of applause for Isabel and for all Nigerian girls who continue to demonstrate immense strength, ambition, and determination in overcoming barriers.
“I envision a future where every girl, regardless of her background, has the opportunity to flourish; where education isn’t seen as a high-pedestal privilege, but as an essential tool to equip girls to make important decisions that affect them,” he said.
According to the statement, ‘Shadow Speaker’ Anani was selected from candidates across Nigeria.
During the ceremonial sitting, the House adopted a motion sponsored by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) and seconded by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr. (APC, Ekiti).
The motion urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and other stakeholders to collaborate on educating the public about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting a drug-free lifestyle.
The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Education to devise practical methods for educating out-of-school girls nationwide and urged the leadership of the National Assembly to amend the Child’s Rights Act to better protect sexually abused children.
The statement added, “As we recognize the vital contributions of girls to our society, we reaffirm our commitment—particularly through our Legislative Agenda on Inclusion (Agenda 6)—to ensuring that every girl in Nigeria has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and lead. Girls are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are catalysts for change today.”
