Lagos — The First Lady, Hajiya Turai Umaru Yar'Adua has pledged her support for the Nigerian Girls' Education Initiative (NGEI), which she launched in Bauchi at the weekend.

In an interactive session with officials of UNICEF, one of the partners in the initiative, after the launching, Hajiya Yar-Adua, who was appointed Grand Patron of NGEI at the ceremony said, "As a qualified teacher, I know the value of education. I have five daughters (one has a Masters and three, first degrees), only two boys. I know the value of a girl being educated, so you have chosen a good Ambassador.

"I promise you, I will not let you down. I will do my best and will work with the Minister (of Education). Next year, Insha Allahu, you will see the difference."She however noted a critical factor in the girl-child education process saying, "We have to empower the women. If we can empower the mothers and parents, then we can have the girls. Most of the girls are hawking because their parents are looking for something to eat.

I have a programme where we are empowering women. We will also liase with the traditional rulers and Imams so that they can help us preach to our husbands and fathers to please allow our daughters to go to school."Earlier, UNICEF's Deputy Country Representative Dr. Robert Limlim said it was important to ensure that girls moved up from the level of disadvantage to the level of advantage. In order to do this, he said, the Grand Patron had the opportunity to ensure that orchestrated and systematic advocacy for girls' education becomes the order of the day in the country.

Although Nigeria has an existing policy on reaching all children, Limlim said there was need to review the policy framework at both national and state levels "so that there is a structure on which the government can systematically improve girls' education." He also called for increased budget in girls' education at all levels and programme implementation saying, "It is critical for us to know that Nigeria has classrooms, desks for children, it has what it takes to make a girl stay in school and that it has communities and girls participate.

As the Grand Patron, you have the possibility of a big pool of actors at different levels. We, your development partners are willing to support you and UNICEF in particular, being the global convener of the initiative, is willing to dispose all our expertise to work with your team. Our four field and national offices are open to you."