The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has described the support for Alternative High Schools for Girls as response to the yawning gap in girls education in Nigeria, decrying the high number of out of school children in the country.
She made this known at the launching of Alternative High Schools for Girls on Tuesday in Osogbo the Osun State Capital, noting that the initiative is her response to the yawning gap in girls education
In her address, Wife of Nigerian President commended the warm reception accorded her by government and people of Osun state even as she narrated her decade long passion for special schools for young girls, restating her commitment to ensure full implementation of the project across the country.
The First Lady who was full of praise for the First Lady of Osun State, Mrs Titilola Adeleke said the Alternative High Schools for Girls was her response to the yawning gap in girls education, decrying the high number of out of school children in the country.
Senator Tinubu who earlier met traditional rulers led by Ooni of Ife, HRM, Enitan Ogunwusi, said Osun is selected for the girls’ school and adopted with full expectation that the state government will expand the model and deepen girl child education in the state.
The First Lady was accompanied by eleven states’ first ladies, the wife of the Vice President, the wife of the Senate President, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Wife of the Chief of Staff to Mr President and other top women leaders from across the country.
Addressing the dignitaries at the turning of sod at Oke Dio, Ayepe, Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke of P
Osun State, expressed his happiness hosting “a woman of virtue, an Amazon who is a political pillar of our dear President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Your antecedents and your passion for public service are known to some of us. We have worked with you at close quarters and I can confirm that you are one of the best of sisterhood in the country.
“As your colleague in the Senate In those days, I can affirm your deep love for Nigeria, your commitment to national human development and your particular interest in the welfare of under-privileged Nigerians. I am therefore not surprised when you assumed office and you unveiled several initiatives in support of girl children and the poor.
“In your passion for the growth of the nation, you are also known for focusing on fairness and justice. For us in Osun State, we are here today because we are a beneficiary of your sense of justice. When during the raffle for the sitting of this school you picked Osun,you did not shift the goal post. We commend you for granting Osun this rare opportunity.of hosting this very important school”, the Governor noted.
While assuring the First Lady that his administration will follow up and provide needed support to ensure a robust operation upon completion of the school, Senator Adeleke assured that is administration is also committed to supporting girl child education.
“We have introduced a series of programmes which strengthen the capacity of families to provide basic needs. Hence we emphasize workers welfare as a critical first line item in our five point agenda.
“We also focus on stopping the crisis of sexual violence against women. To that end, Osun is the first state to implement the resolution of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Action Against sexual violence. We have met the Ministry of Women Affairs and resolved to set up mobile courts to try domestic sexual violence matters. Additionally, we are compiling a list of unfairly jailed girls and women to get them released. This is in addition to an agenda of empowering the womenfolk through the Cooperative lawn scheme.
“Osun State is undergoing total transformation with women at the heart of our agenda. We assure you of our support for the Renewed Hope Agenda especially our deep partnership to ensure the success of federal policies for a better Nigeria. We appreciate current policies of the Federal Government and we are daily interfacing with federal agencies for successful outcomes”, the state Governor posited.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education, Dr Ahmed Bobboi in his speech hailed the contributions of the Adeleke administration to the growth and development of universal basic education in the state.
According to him, the administration’s records enhances the confidence of UBEC and the Office of the First Lady that the new school will realize its targets and even surpass it.
Earlier in her welcome address, Osun State First Lady, Mrs Titilola Adeleke gave kudos to the wife of President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, wifes of the Vice President, House of Reps Speaker and wives of state governors for supporting the initiative.
USAID Director Melissa Jones delivers remarks
