PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has pledged the commitment of his administration to continue to work towards ending gender-based violence and increasing learning opportunities for girls in safe and conducive environments.
Tinubu particularly commended his wife and First Lady, Oluremi, who he said, has chosen education as a primary tool to champion this campaign nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development’s (OAFLAD) #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria, Tinubu stressed the importance of education in empowering girls and promoting gender equality and commended OAFLAD for the commitment to advance gender equality and narrow the gap in opportunities and appointments across the African continent.
While launching the campaign in Nigeria, with a focus on ‘Education as a powerful tool for change is critical for Africa’s development,’ the President said: “We must continue to create opportunities for all our children to access quality education without leaving anyone behind, particularly the girl child.
“We must engender a society where everyone has the same opportunities, regardless of who they are, because doing that leads to a stronger and more peaceful society for all.”
He stated that the launch of the campaign in Nigeria has come with the reintroduction of the Alternative High School for Girls by the First Lady, noting: “This initiative offers a second chance to young girls who have dropped out of school to further their education and fulfil their dreams and aspirations.
“It is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to continue to take bold and decisive actions to eliminate the structural inequalities that hold women back on the continent.
“We must be conscious of the fact that the empowerment of women and girls is essential to achieving each of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Tinubu acknowledged the importance of laws and policies that protect and promote women’s rights, invest in girls’ education and skills development and create economic opportunities accessible to all, saying all must work together towards that goal.
He said the full operationalisation of the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act is key to achieving these goals, as it would ensure that all young people have unhindered access to education, stating: “The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is also implementing a N50,000 non-repayable grant programme for one million Nigerians in Nano businesses and skilled trades, including women and youth.
“We will continue to work to end gender-based violence and increase learning opportunities for girls in safe and conducive environments. These measures will enable more women succeed in different vocations and properly shape their future endeavours, from politics to engineering, science, technology, sports and the creative economy.
“We must work together to promote laws and policies that protect and promote women’s rights, invest in girls’ education and skills development and create economic opportunities that are accessible to all.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian child is excluded from quality education that prepares women and girls to lead and bring positive changes to their communities, urging all stakeholders to carry forward, the campaign to empower girls and promote gender equality, which promises to gift an educated girl-child the potential to bring the necessary change and transform African communities for the better.
