By Aishatu Kabu Damboa
Damboa, Borno State – With over 700,000 children currently out of school in Borno State, the crisis of interrupted childhoods and unrealized dreams has become a pressing concern. In Damboa Local Government Area (LGA), where conflict, poverty, and harmful social norms have compounded the problem, stakeholders are rallying to change the narrative.
On Monday, the Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative Support (ZEGCAWIS), in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Innovation and Technology and with support from the Malala Fund, convened a town hall meeting themed “Inspiring Girls, Inspiring Communities: Education for Sustainable Development in Damboa LGA.”
The gathering brought together government officials, traditional leaders, teachers, civil society organizations, and youth groups to deliberate on practical solutions to improve school enrolment, retention, and safe learning environments for children—particularly girls.
Quoting Malala Fund’s founder, participants were reminded that “Education is the foundation for peace, for justice, and for equality for so many of us.” The meeting underscored that denying girls education is not only an injustice but also a form of violence and discrimination that exposes them to early marriage and limits their ability to contribute to community development.
ZEGCAWIS Efforts Since 2023
Since 2023, ZEGCAWIS has been working across communities in Borno to raise awareness, train teachers, provide learning and hygiene support, and amplify the voices of adolescent girls demanding their right to education. Through the Malala Fund Girl Program, the organization has influenced policies and decisions in favor of girls’ education while strengthening community engagement.
Stakeholder Voices
The Honorable Commissioner of Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, delivered passionate remarks that inspired participants and set the tone for dialogue. He emphasized that leadership requires communication and collaboration, urging stakeholders to commit to collective responsibility in ensuring every child completes 12 years of quality education.
The Executive Chairman of Damboa LGA was also commended for mobilizing critical stakeholders to attend the meeting, while partners such as Bridge for Women Development Initiative and Giscor Giscor were recognized for their support.
Other notable attendees included UNFPA Humanitarian Coordinator Macauley Chris Sabum, representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Comrade Bulama Abiso, Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organizations, alongside Damboa Youth Development Associations.
Education as Protection and Empowerment
Speaking during the commemoration of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, organizers stressed that education is both a protection tool and an empowerment strategy. By keeping girls in school, communities can safeguard them from violence, exclusion, and harmful practices while equipping them with the skills to drive peace and development.
Looking Ahead
The town hall meeting served as a platform for dialogue and consensus-building, with stakeholders agreeing that sustainable progress requires the involvement of political leaders, traditional and religious institutions, parents, teachers, and youth groups.
As ZEGCAWIS and its partners look forward to the impact of this initiative, the message from Damboa is clear: education is not a privilege but a pathway to dignity, opportunity, and peace.
Navigating AI tools can be overwhelming, but tyy.AI simplifies the process with its well-organized directory. Their AI Trading Bot Assistant is a great example of how they highlight practical, vetted solutions for professionals.