The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, has called on parents to give priority to girl-child education to enable them to properly contribute their quota to nation-building.
Bage made the call while conferring the traditional title of ‘Garkuwan Ilimin Mata Nasarawa’ on Dr. Hauwa Muhammad-Mainoma at his palace in Lafia on Monday.
He said giving premium to girl-child education would go a long way in reducing street hawking among them.
The emir explained that women have significant roles to play in ensuring the proper upbringing of children in the society, adding that lack of education was undermining such efforts.
Bage said the significant role of an educated girl child to the society and the world generally must be fully harnessed.
He added that women, as custodians of the home, needed to be educated for the growth and development of their families and the society at large.
Bage, who is also the chairman of Nasarawa State Council of Traditional Rulers, advised children to shun divisive tendencies and work towards ensuring peace and unity of the state.
He noted that the title conferred on Dr. Hauwa was based on her contributions to the development of education in the state.
The emir advised other titleholders to ensure that their impacts are felt by their communities.
In her remarks, the newly turbaned Garkuwan Ilimin Mata Nasarawa pledged to put in her best in the development of education in the state.
She said the new honour would spur her to do more for the emirate and Nasarawa State as a whole.
Dr Hauwa, who is also the wife of the immediate past vice-chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi, thanked the emir for finding her worthy to serve the emirate council.
“I will not fail the emir, and I will not fail the entire emirate council. I will discharge my responsibilities in the best way I can to justify the confidence reposed on me, and to ensure it is not abused in any way,” she said.