Abuja — The Minister of State for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Jibrin Dukku had reiterated President Umaru Yar'Adua's commitment to gender equity and to the vigorous pursuit of the education of the girl child, especially in northern Nigeria.

Dukku, who spoke in Abuja at the 5th Nigerian Women Association in Georgia (NWAG) Scholarship Award ceremony for Nigerian girls in tertiary institutions, added that the present administration intends to promote the nation's education system to acceptable international standards. Dukku commended the efforts of the association in partnering with government to educate and empower the womenfolk.

She admonished parents especially in the North to send their children, particularly daughters, to school so as not jeopardize their future. This move, she pointed out, is necessary because an educated woman stands a better chance of raising children successfully.

Dukku further described the NWAG 2007 Woman of Valour, Hajiya Mariam Ciroma as a worthy role model Nigerian girls especially those in the North. "We used to look up to her as an inspiration, and I even wrote her a letter once, saying I wanted her to be my mother," Dukkuj said.

Hajiya Ciroma, a former Minister of Women Affairs, stated that Nigerian women have to ask for more political rights because they are partners in the development of the nation.

While conceding that Nigerian women need the support of men, especially their husbands and fathers in their endeavours, she lamented that women have to work three times harder than the menfolk to suceed in political office.

She advised recipients of NWAG's 2007 scholarships to uphold the trust and responsibility bestowed on them and serve as role models to younger girls.

The founder of NWAG, Mrs. Dayo Keshi told THISDAY that the association was born out of the need to uplift young girls that are struggling to pursue their educational goals and to give back to the nation what it has given to them.