By Sani Adamu Hassan
In a powerful demonstration of inclusive parenting, fathers in Bauchi State have stepped into the spotlight as key partners in advancing the education and empowerment of the girl child.
At an event marking the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Young Leaders Network (YLN) hosted a unique Daughter-Father Dialogue to encourage open communication between parents and their daughters while promoting gender equality within families.
With the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Daughter/Father Parley,” the dialogue underscored how fathers’ support and understanding can transform the lives of their daughters and inspire social change.
Speaking at the event, Seun Justin Onarinde, Executive Director of YLN, described fathers as “the first mentors every girl looks up to,” stressing that real empowerment begins at home.
“When fathers listen, encourage, and believe in their daughters, they ignite a confidence that shapes leaders,” he said.
Onarinde expressed gratitude to the Malala Fund and the Bauchi State Ministry of Education for their continuous advocacy and partnership in promoting girls’ education.
Representing the state government, Abdullahi Baffa, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Ministry of Education, reaffirmed Bauchi’s readiness to collaborate with civil society groups to enhance access to quality education for girls.
In her remarks, Charity Solomon of YLN noted that the initiative celebrated fathers who stand as allies in their daughters’ journeys, describing them as “pillars of strength behind every empowered girl.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, urged the government to consider lowering school fees for girls, saying the move would boost enrolment and retention rates in line with gender-inclusive policies.
A panel session moderated by Safiya Saleh explored how fathers can model fairness, empathy, and shared responsibilities at home — setting a standard for the next generation of boys and girls alike.
At the end of the dialogue, both fathers and daughters made pledges to strengthen family bonds and nurture environments where every girl can dream, learn, and lead confidently.