A teenager Joy Ogah on Monday symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day, using the opportunity to advocate for the rights and education of girls across Nigeria.
The handover took place during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International led by Helen Idiong, director of programme, quality and innovation, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Miss Ogah called on the government, policymakers, development partners and citizens to take strategic actions to advance girl-child education and protect the rights of every girl.
She also urged the provision of free sanitary products in schools and access to clean water, sanitation and nutrition for children.
She expressed concern that across Nigeria, 10.5 million children are out of school, with more than 60 percent of them being girls.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said.
“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, classrooms, conversations, and budgets.”
Shettima commended Ogah’s advocacy and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to promoting girl-child education and inclusivity.
He described First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as an example of how a supported girl-child can become a national leader, recalling her active contributions to debates on education while serving in the Senate.
Shettima said the government would continue to partner with organisations such as PLAN International to strengthen interventions that support the education and empowerment of girls.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” he said.
The event aligns with recent national efforts to promote gender equality in education.
In September, the Federal Government launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions targeting women across 774 local government areas.
