Education-Nigeria - The education of the girl child has been described as key to National development as the importance of education and the role it plays in the advancement of women cannot be overemphasized.. The Public Diplomacy and Cultural Officer with the United States Consulate General, Peter Piness who made the assertion during the 2011 Women's Day celebration held at the Consulates' Public Affairs Section, Lagos, noted that despite the fact that many Women occupy positions as Heads of States in Ireland, Finland, Liberia, India, Argentina , Lituania, Kyrgyzstan, Costa Rica, Brazil; other outstanding positions as the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Australia and have made some progress all over the world, vast inequality still exist in many other sectors especially the political sector.

According to him, the potential for women to contribute to economic growth and prosperity , social progress, peace and good governance is not fully realised in many societies which calls for making education for the girl child more accessible and the promotion of the achievements of women and girls in every sector a top priority.

'Do not neglect the importance of education and the role it has played and will play in the advancement of women and girls. Good education and continuing education for everyone is key to success and this is why we must promote quality education at all levels',.he said.

Mr Piness who also encouraged women not to neglect reading as it is key to expansion of one's knowledge stressed that the knowledge one acquires from reading quality literature 'including works by women authors', far exceeds that obtained from casually surfing the internet'.

Prisca Sam-Duru

Vanguard/07/04/2011