By George Ozalla
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu PhD, has called for increased investment in the education and development of the Nigerian girl child, emphasizing that empowering women remains critical to the nation’s sustainable growth and democratic advancement.
Speaking at the 6th TOS Foundation Symposium held in Abuja over the weekend to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, Kalu stressed the need for equal opportunities for women, particularly within the political space, to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to a press release signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu noted that this commitment to inclusion was the driving force behind his sponsorship of the Special Seats Bill (HB 1349), which seeks temporary reserved seats for women in Nigeria’s legislature.
“No matter how gifted a legislator may be, there are realities that only women can legislate from experience. And until women sit at the table, entire chapters of our national story will remain unwritten,” Kalu said, adding that the bill was a necessary corrective step to decades of exclusion.
He lauded the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, noting that the 10th House of Representatives has placed inclusion at the core of its Legislative Agenda. The ongoing Constitution Review process, which Kalu leads, he said, remains the most participatory in Nigeria’s history — engaging women, youth, civil society, and traditional leaders across all regions.
Kalu further emphasized that investing in the girl child was an investment in the nation’s future, stressing that girls must be given equal access to education, mentorship, and leadership pathways, particularly in science, technology, and innovation — sectors that would define tomorrow’s economy.
The Deputy Speaker also commended the TOS Foundation for convening the symposium, which attracted dignitaries including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who pledged support for the reserved seats bill. He urged Nigerian women to remain steadfast in the pursuit of equity and representation.
“To every Nigerian girl: there are no boundaries to what you can become,” Kalu said, encouraging them to dream boldly, work diligently, and embrace leadership roles. He added that every home must become the first classroom of equality, as nations rise higher when both genders rise together.
Kalu concluded by reaffirming his belief that advancing women’s representation through thoughtful policy is more than reform — it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s collective future.
The event, organized by the TOS Foundation, focused on strengthening advocacy for gender inclusion and youth participation in leadership, in line with the global observance of the International Day of the Girl Child.
