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Joy Ogah Becomes Nigeria’s Vice President For A Day

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In what is seen as a demonstration of support for girl-child education and an act of empowerment, the Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday invited teenager Joy Ogah to assume the role of Vice President for a day, symbolically addressing the nation on issues affecting Nigerian girls.

The event took place when Vice President Kashim Shettima hosted a delegation from PLAN International led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Idiong on Monday in his office at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

The gesture was said to be a reaffirmation of the commitment of the Tinubu led government to promoting girl-child education and gender equality.

Vice President Shettima via his official X handle on Tuesday reiterated the administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing girl-child education across the country, assuring stakeholders and development partners that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government will continue to prioritise educational inclusion
He said among other government interventions in girl-child education, the school feeding programme remains essential.

“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” VP Shettima told the delegation.

The Vice President, who also described First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a symbol of how a properly empowered and supported girl-child can blossom into a great leader, recalled that when the First Lady served in the Nigerian Senate, she contributed actively to debates, especially those relating to girl-child education.

“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that this government is gender-friendly. We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” he stated.

The Vice President reaffirmed his office’s readiness to collaborate with local and international partners like PLAN International to implement sustainable policies that promote access to education and protect the rights of girls across “We value our partnership with PLAN International and welcome continued collaboration to ensure that every girl has a fair chance at education and leadership,” he concluded.

According to Shettima, the federal government has made significant strides in supporting young girls’ education through several initiatives, including the school feeding programme.

“Among other government interventions in girl-child education, the school feeding programme remains essential,” Shettima stated.
Highlighting the link between nutrition and education, the Vice President stressed the importance of proper nourishment in shaping the next generation of leaders.

“Studies have shown that well-nourished children are well-formed. We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education,”

After his remarks, the Vice President invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat for a day to address the nation, an opportunity she gladly accepted.
Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Miss Ogah called on the government, policymakers, development partners, and citizens to act strategically in advancing girl-child education, protect the rights of every girl-child as well as the need to provide free sanitary products in schools and ensure access to water, sanitation, and nutrition for the Nigerian child.
Ogah, who expressed concerns that across Nigeria, 10.5 million children are out of school, with over 60 percent of them being girls, added that Nigerian girls can become leaders if the necessary interventions are implemented by relevant authorities and stakeholders.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible.
“I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets,” she said.

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