The first lady of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday performed the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of the alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, Osun state with affirmation that, “with education, we can break the chains of poverty, ignorance, and inequality, by providing our women and girls with tools and resources to thrive and succeed in life.
Speaking at the Ground Breaking Ceremony, the wife of the president remarked also that, in a world where every girl deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach her fullest potential, it is a sad thing to witness the barriers that stand in the way of their education.
She said, No doubt, without education, girls would lack the necessary skills to support themselves and access information to make informed decisions about their health and future.
While saying that, the alarming rate of school dropouts among girls are a stark reminder of the need for alternative solutions in their educational pursuits, Mrs. Tinubu noted that “the consequences of this challenge are profound, affecting not only their individual lives, but also has attendant socio-economic implications for our Nation. We cannot afford to squander the potential and talents of half of our population.
“The ceremony marks the beginning of an opportunity for a new chapter and a chance for a promising future for the exceptional young girls and women who would walk through the doors of this very school.
“Therefore, I am delighted to be part of this crucial endeavour today. Let me also reiterate that Osun State was chosen as the location for this school through a transparent and unbiased raffle draw process at a strategic meeting with the State First Ladies. So, be rest assured that, the siting of this school here in Osogbo, emanated from a fair process and it is a divinely guided one.
“I am using education as a tool to promote the Campaign in Nigeria. This campaign recognizes that true equality requires equal access to education and that educated women are the foundation of strong, prosperous societies. The official launch date of the event will be in May 2024 by the special grace of God.
“As we embark on this noble endeavour, let us remember the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I urge us to commit to this, knowing that with education, we can break the chains of poverty, ignorance, and inequality, by providing our women and girls with tools and resources to thrive and succeed. Very soon, by the special grace of God, we will be back here to officially commission a fully built and furnished school on the blocks we have laid today.”
In his remark at the occasion, the Osun state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke appreciated the wife of the president and assured that his administration would follow up and provide needed support to ensure a robust operation upon completion of the school.
He said, “Our 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 Womec 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.
“Our 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.”
In his speech, the executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi stated that “the focus of the school is to provide women and girls who, for one reason or the other, did not complete their basic education and who desire to go back to school, the opportunity to achieve their educational ambition.
“Their available data show that of the 3,904,713 pupils in Primary Six across the country in 2021, who were expected to transit to JSS in 2022, only 1,602,213 could be accounted for in JSS One of 2022 While there are regional variations, the problem is nationwide and deserves to be addressed urgently.
“It is necessary to engage this category of children and young adults and give them another chance to complete their education. It is also in this regard that I feel highly obliged to congratulate, once again, Her Excellency First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her foresight in adopting the Alternative School and indeed her choice of Osun State as her next destination in launching the programme.
“Our Excellencies, distinguished guests, please, permit me to state that the school is also responding to the shifting emphasis on the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills When completed, the school will provide opportunities for the learners to acquire life-sustaining skills that will make them, self-reliant income generators and ultimately improve the standard of living of the family,@ he concluded.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi said, “It is God that makes today a reality, I am welcoming our dear mother Senator Oluremi Tinubu. I want to use this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for always being there on behalf of all the traditional rulers, anytime I call on you you are always there. And I want to thank Almighty for your life the way our Governor said it that is very happy, I think am happier that you are here.
“We will wait for you over and over again for us to give you that honour. It’s very obvious that you are a unifier in this country we can see all our First Ladies behind our powerful political leaders they are all sitting here, very gentle and amiable, they are the driving force behind all these political leaders that we are. But you unifier in the sense that we have different political parties here, we have Labor Party, APC, and PDP Governors’ wives here.
“Our First Lady I want to thank you once again. On behalf of all the traditional rulers am using that medium to great all of you wives of the Vice President I want to thank you and welcome to the root and source of ‘we’ Yoruba people I want to welcome you and also the wife our Chief Staff to the Federation thank you very much for the support you give to our First Lady and to thank all of you here.
“I want to thank you all for your support to the First Lady we have never seen such mobilization before very very balanced and wonderful.”
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