Girl Child Day: Banigo Calls For Eradication Of Obnoxious Traditional Practices

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on Nigerians to eradicate all obnoxious traditional practices inimical to the development of the girl child.
She also called on other States in the country to emulate the example of the Rivers State House of Assembly by domesticating the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Rights to share in family Property Law no. 2 of 2023.
Banigo made this call in a statement signed by her Press Officer, Precious Abia, on Wednesday, to felicitate with the girl child on this year’s International Girl Child Day held across the world on Wednesday.
According to her, the said legislation was signed into law by the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, prohibiting the exclusion of rights and privileges of female children in the share of family property.
The federal lawmaker who is also the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, expressed concern over what she described as “obnoxious traditional practices and antiquated norms and customs in some communities which tend to diminish entitlements of female children or women in the society”.
According to her, “I feel greatly privileged that as a national lawmaker, I and my colleagues shall work in synergy with the relevant agencies and NGOs like FIDA, MWAN to initiate legislative instruments that seek further to protect and promote the interest and welfare of the girl child and women. As a woman, mother and wife, I am passionate about policies and programmes that guarantee a good future for our children”, she stated.
The Rivers State former deputy governor extolled the virtues of female children and women as “Home makers and care givers with unique strength and candour both at home fronts and in public service”.
She noted that the theme of this year’s celebration was instructive and a wakeup call for a paradigm shift and strategic engagement of youths in digital evolution, which will positively impact on the society.
The United Nations sets aside 11th of October every year as an International Day of the Girl Child to provide opportunity for individuals, corporate bodies and relevant government agencies to participate in activities and initiatives that support Girl Child Rights and Empowerment.