In order to shine the spotlight on the transformative power
of girls’ education across Africa and the world, the groundbreaking feature,
‘Girl Rising’ was screened for the first time in Nigeria at the Silverbird
Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos as part of the celebration to mark the International Day of The Girl Child. The
Nigerian Premiere was co-hosted by the United Nations Information Centre, Lagos
(UNIC), Zonta International Clubs in Nigeria, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy
(KIND), and Nigerians Report Online.
The event brought together 350 girls, boys and young women
from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, members of the press, civil
society and representatives of the Deputy Governor, and the Lagos State
Commissioner of Education. Also present were several partners and sponsors of
the event including The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Zonta
International Clubs in Nigeria, The Kudirat initiative for Democracy (KIND),
Nigerians Report Online, Kiddies & Brands Company, and Cool FM. The Girl
Rising Nigerian Premiere was also proudly supported by the British Deputy High
Commission in Lagos; Silverbird; MTN Foundation; Educare Trust; Queens College
Old Girls Association; Peter Zion Nigeria Ltd; and Rite Foods.
The partnership is part of a global movement to educate girls
and empower them to be world changers and to believe in their dreams.
‘Girl Rising’, apart from being a ground-breaking feature, is
a movement dedicated to empowering and achieving educational equity for Girls
around the world. The film spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls
born into unforgiving circumstances; the film captures their dreams, their
voices and their remarkable lives.
The event brought together members of the Private sector,
Government dignitaries and members of
Civil society, to raise global visibility about the importance of
educating girls.
In her welcome address, the President of Zonta International
Club of Lagos 1, Ms. Shade Bembatoum-Young, restated the commitment of the
organizers to empowering the girl child in Nigeria.
“We, the co-hosts of the Nigerian Premiere of Girl Rising,
believe in the power of education to change not only a girl, but the world.”
she said.
She further stated that the event was not just to celebrate
the International Day of The Girl Child, but to focus on the need to break down
barriers that limit girls and women. “By hosting an International Day of The
Girl Child Event in Lagos, we are demonstrating our commitment to breaking down
the barriers that prevent girls around the world from going to school –
barriers like child marriage, sex trafficking, gender violence and
discrimination.” she added.
The Secretary General of The United Nations, represented by
Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun,
Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Information Centre in Lagos, reiterated the
commitment of the United Nations system in Nigeria to the promotion of the girl
child education in the country. He conveyed the warm wishes of the Resident
Coordinator of the UN system in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure on the occasion and
noted that the UN, through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is
collaborating with the government of Nigeria to improve
children’s access to education and revitalize Adult and Youth literacy in the
country.
The Secretary General also called for fresh solutions to
girls’ education challenges and enjoined all to heed the voices of young
people. “On this International Day of The Girl Child, let us work together to
invest in education so that girls can advance in their personal development and
contribute to our common future.” He added.
In her goodwill message, President, Women ARISE for Change
Initiative, Dr. Joe Odumakin observed that the future of any nation depends on
the girl child. “Parents should know
that the girl child is their present as well as their future and therefore
should not jeopardize it.” She said.
Intel, a founding partner of ‘Girl Rising’, donated four
classmate PC’s to four of the girls who spoke about the issues raised in the
film during the interactive session held immediately after the screening.
Intel has also set out a grand design to work with a diverse
set of partners including global and local NGOs, corporations and governments
to achieve its goal of educating as many girls as possible starting from
Africa.
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