Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the Nigerian president, has initiated the construction of an Alternative High School for Girls in Osun State, aiming to provide young girls and women who have dropped out of school with a second chance to acquire education and life skills.
In Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, the First Lady launched the groundbreaking ceremony for the school, emphasizing the opportunity it offers to girls who face challenges such as unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, or economic constraints.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of education in empowering girls to make informed decisions about their health and future, stressing the need to address the alarming rate of school dropouts among girls, which has socio-economic implications for the nation.
She emphasized Nigeria's obligation to harness the potential of its female population and underscored the importance of inclusive and quality education, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Launching the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria, Mrs Tinubu underscored education's role in promoting equality, echoing Nelson Mandela's sentiment that education is a powerful tool for changing the world.
Responding, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, pledged the state government's support for the school, emphasizing its commitment to girl child education and initiatives to address sexual violence against women.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Hamid Bobboyi, outlined the school's features, including workshops for vocational training, digital literacy resources, and facilities for early childhood education, highlighting its potential to improve the standard of living for families.
He noted that the management and expansion of the school would be the responsibility of the Osun State Government, with support from other government agencies, development partners, and non-governmental organizations.
