Vice President Kashim Shettima has underlined President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expanding girl-child education in Nigeria, highlighting the administration’s emphasis on inclusive learning and nutrition for all children.
In a statement issued by the Vice President’s Office on Tuesday, Shettima emphasized the importance of government efforts like the school feeding program in encouraging education and lowering the number of out-of-school children.
During a meeting on Monday with a delegation from PLAN International led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the Vice President also invited a teenage girl, Joy Ogah, to symbolically take over his seat as “one-day Vice President” and advocate for the girl child.
“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,” Shettima said.
Shettima reassured the delegation that President Bola Tinubu is a trustworthy ally in advancing girl-child education.
He also praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, as a role model for empowering and supporting girls to become great leaders.
“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 added.
Earlier, PLAN International’s representative, Helen Idiong, stated that the organization had helped over 11 million Nigerian children through education, entrepreneurship, and youth development programs. She also highlighted PLAN’s previous advocacy, which helped to remove the Value Added Tax on sanitary pads and diapers in the Tax Reforms Act.
The vice president pledged to continue working with PLAN International and other development partners to support policies that improve girls’ rights and education across the country.
