Bauchi First Lady Champions Girls’ Empowerment, Leadership at International Day of the Girl Child Celebration

By Zainab Faruk

The Bauchi State Government has reiterated its commitment to advancing the rights, education, and leadership of girls across the state, as the Ministry of Education, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.

The event, which took place at Dr. Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu square of the Government House, Bauchi, was held under the global theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis.”

In her keynote address, the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, celebrated the strength, courage, and potential of girls, describing them as active leaders and changemakers shaping the society today.

“Today, we are not just celebrating a date — we are celebrating our girls: their strength, courage, and dreams,” the First Lady said. “The theme reminds us that girls are not just part of the future — they are shaping it right now. Even in times of crisis, they continue to show resilience and leadership.”

Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed noted that across Nigeria, girls have continued to demonstrate courage and innovation in the face of adversity, from internally displaced persons’ camps in the North-East to schools and communities nationwide. She said girls are standing up for education, health, dignity, and environmental protection — proving that they can lead and inspire positive change.

She highlighted that in Bauchi State, many girls have spearheaded campaigns on menstrual hygiene, environmental conservation, and community service, reinforcing the belief that “the girl child is not a burden but a builder of our tomorrow.”

Reaffirming the government’s dedication to gender equality, the First Lady outlined several initiatives targeted at improving the lives of girls in the state. These include:

Expanding access to quality education, especially in rural communities;

Strengthening the fight against child marriage and gender-based violence;

Providing health and mental health support for young girls; and

Promoting digital education and safe online learning environments.

She revealed that through the Bauchi State Girl Child Education Initiative, thousands of girls have been enrolled back in school, adding that efforts will continue until every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed also commended traditional and religious leaders for their ongoing support and urged them to continue to champion the protection and empowerment of girls in their communities.

She further appealed to parents to nurture their daughters’ dreams and give them the confidence to lead, while encouraging the girls themselves to believe in their abilities and potential.

“You are not too young to make a difference. You are strong, intelligent, and full of potential. The girl you are today can change the world tomorrow,” she said.

The event featured goodwill messages from stakeholders, including representatives of development partners, civil society organizations, and education advocates, all emphasizing the importance of investing in girls as agents of progress and innovation.

The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on October 11 to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face, while promoting their empowerment and human rights globally.