• One-day Vice President, Joy Ogah, makes case for girls

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria, pledging stronger collaboration with development partners to advance the cause.

Shettima, who stated this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from PLAN International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong, in Abuja, said the administration considers initiatives like the school feeding programme essential to keeping children, especially girls, in schools.

The Vice President then invited a teenager, Joy Ogah, to symbolically take over his seat as Vice President for a day, giving her the platform to address the nation on the challenges facing the girl-child.

He said studies had consistently shown that well-nourished children are better positioned to thrive academically and socially.

“We will continue our engagement with PLAN International and explore how the government’s strength can reinforce your efforts in promoting girl-child education,” Shettima said.

The Vice President added that President Tinubu remains a firm ally in the cause of gender equality, emphasising that his administration is passionate about empowering women and girls.

He also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a living example of how an empowered girl-child can evolve into a transformative national leader.

Meanwhile, the teenager, Ogah, called for urgent and sustained action to address barriers to girls’ education, urging government, policymakers, and citizens to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

She advocated the enforcement of laws protecting the girl-child, provision of free sanitary products in schools, and improved access to clean water, sanitation, and nutrition.

“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. I may be Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, classrooms, conversations, and budgets,” she said.

Earlier, Idiong noted that girls worldwide face multiple crises, and Nigeria is no exception. She said the organisation had supported over 11 million Nigerian children through interventions in education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

She also recalled the 2024 initiative where a girl took over the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ seat, advocating the removal of VAT on sanitary pads and diapers—a request that was later implemented under the Tax Reforms Act.

Idiong, therefore, urged continued government collaboration to ensure that education remains accessible, safe, and affordable for all girls in Nigeria.