The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has introduced the establishment of Alternative High Schools for Girls as a response to the yawning gap in girls education in Nigeria.
She made this known at the launching of Alternative High Schools for Girls on Tuesday in Osogbo, Osun State, decrying the high number of out of school children in the country.
Sen Oluremi explained that the motivation behind the establishment of the school was the desire to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, economic or financial reasons and many more, have a second chance to complete high school, acquire higher education and valuable life skills, to enable them reach their full potential in life.
While adding that the aim was to ensure access to inclusive and equitable quality education that fosters lifelong learning opportunities for everyone who is essential.
However,she reiterated 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.
“Be rest assured that, the siting of this school here in Osogbo, emanated from a fair process and it is a divinely guided one”, she stated.
Similarly, she emphasised that the event will culminate into the launch of the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria, an initiative championed by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).
” 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”, she further explained.
The first lady commended the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the First Lady Titilola Adeleke for providing the piece of land to embark on this noble project.
Finally, she applauded the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hammid Bobboyi and his entire team for this and all the other Alternative High School projects the Commission has embarked upon.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of
Osun State commended the first Lady for the privilege of establishing the school in the State while assuring her that his administration will follow up and provide needed support to ensure a robust operation upon completion of the school, while reinstating committment to promote the girl child education.
“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 realise its targets and even surpass it.
