Teenager, Joy Ogah emerged the vice-president of Nigeria, "taking over" from Kashim Shettima who iconically vacated his seat for a day.
A statement from the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday said the handover event took place on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.
The courtesy, according to Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was also a reiteration of the commitment of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu to promoting gender equality and education for the girl child.
“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 said.
Speaking after assuming the office of the vice-president at the event, Ogah called on the government to tackle the difficulties facing girls in the country, noting that over 10.5 million children remain out of school, more than 60 per cent of whom are girls.
She also highlighted the need for the provision of sanitary products in schools and access to other basic amenities for the Nigerian child.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise interventions that protect and empower young girls.
“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.
In his remark, Shettima noted that support from his principal for the girl child remains, noting that First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was a representation of how an empowered and supported girl child can become a leader.
