During an event at the Aso Rock Villa on Tuesday to support girl-child education in collaboration with Plan International, 15-year-old Joy Ogah temporarily took Vice President Kashim Shettima’s seat as “Vice President for a Day.”
Shettima informed a team headed by Helen Idiong, Director of Program, Quality, and Innovation at Plan International, that the symbolic gesture demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to gender inclusion and education for girls.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, stated this in a statement he signed on Tuesday headed, ‘President Tinubu Remains Committed to Girl-Child Education, Says VP Shettima.’
“President Tinubu is a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives,” the vice president said.
In order to guarantee that children, especially females, continue attending school, the school food program and other interventions are still essential.
“We will keep working with Plan International to make sure that government initiatives complement your insightful observations.”
Noting her legislative support for girls’ education during her time in the Senate, he called First Lady Oluremi Tinubu “a symbol of what a properly supported girl-child can become.”
“You have a trustworthy ally in President Bola Tinubu. This government is inclusive and gender-neutral.
“We cannot expect to grow as a nation if we deny half of our population the right to vote,” Shettima continued.
In order to promote girls’ education, Shettima reiterated the administration’s willingness to work with Plan International and other partners.
“Our doors remain open for continued engagement,” he stated. By working together, we can create a country where all girls can succeed.
Joy Ogah, who was seated in the vice president’s chair, spoke and advocated for increased funding for the protection and education of girls.
She pointed out that over 60% of Nigeria’s 10.5 million out-of-school youngsters are female.
“I may hold the position of vice president for a day, but the issues I stand for will never be resolved.
“Every girl needs dignity, not silence, classroom, and a choice.
“Every child in Nigeria needs access to safe and inclusive education,” Ogah stated.
She called on the government and development partners to increase access to water, sanitation, and nutrition, implement laws safeguarding girls’ rights, and give them free sanitary items in schools.
“Peace is possible when girls are protected,” she continued.
According to Idiong of Plan International, the organisation has provided education, entrepreneurial, and youth empowerment initiatives to more than 11 million Nigerian youngsters.
In 2024, the group organised a symbolic “Girl Speaker for a Day” campaign, which sparked legislation to eliminate the Value Added Tax on nappies and menstrual pads, the one-day vice president recalled.
Ogah praised the Federal Government for putting that reform into effect and urged continued action to increase the accessibility and affordability of education for all girls.
