The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Agency (NAFDAC) has urged girls to create a mental vision that will direct their activities and aspirations for the future.
Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, gave the advice at the International Day of the Girl-Child 2024, on Friday, in Lagos.
The day was organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Airport and Isolo command, in collaboration with the Bomarah Foundation and Vichel Parenteen Initiative.
The day had the theme: “Girls’ Vision for the Future.”
Adeyeye represented by Mrs Yedunni Adenuga, Director Narcotics and Controlled Substance, NAFDAC, noted that having vision stand as a guide that girls could use to develop sense of purpose.
According to Adeyeye, vision provides one with something to look forward to and always work towards.
“It provides one with a reason to keep going even when one gets stocked.
“You must start with the small things such as waking up early, keeping oneself tidy, doing assignment promptly, these little things add up.
“When we talk about our future, we cannot discuss it without talking about the past, present and the future. We learn from the past, for present, we do what is right and for the future, we plan ahead.
“The vision needs to be written down in a journal and anytime one discovers a deviation from such vision, should look back for redirection,” she said.
She called on girls not to allow barriers and challenges to prevent them from achieving their vision.
She listed some area the girl-child faces challenges as education, health, equal opportunities, stereotypes, poverty, urging that these should be looked into for the future of the girl.
“They should know who they are, be courageous, hardworking, demonstrate that they are capable, take every moment as an opportunity and always strive to be the best,” she said.
Also, Alhaja Fatima Bello, the wife of the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, noted that girls could not achieve their goals without proper guidance and support from relevant bodies and organisations.
“When girls lead, the impact is immediate and well seen, so there is a need to listen to them for their own good and the entire society.
“You girls should speak out your challenges, take them to your mother’s, sisters, do not keep silent as it you speak out there will be lots of solutions,” she said.
Also, Mrs Fadekemi Oloyede, Oshodi-Isolo Council chairman’s wife, noted that there was the need to invest in solutions that would ensure future progress of the girls.
Earlier, the Unit Commander FRSC Isolo command, Uko O Uko, challenged the girls to maximise every opportunity they had to make their voices heard towards achieving their future potential.
According to Uko, the theme of the day underscores the need for urgent actions, persistent hope, driven by the power of girls voices and vision for the future.
“Many girls are denied opportunities due to climatic considerations, conflict, poverty and gender equality.
“However, research has proven that girls are not only brave in the face of crisis but hopeful for the future,” he said.
He said that the FRSC was at the fore front of ensuring the actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He added that the event aligned with Goals 4 and 5, quality education and gender equality respectively.
“When the girl child is educated, the enlightenment will reduce the propensity to be exposed to road traffic crashes as they will know the safety ethics to apply.
“The corps is employing more women in consonance to the 35 per cent affirmative action of women in public governance/leadership,” he said.
Uko noted that more women were appointed as commanding officers across the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of the girl-child is a day declared by the United Nations and it is celebrated annually on October 11.
