In a significant move to promote gender equality and empower women and girls, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has joined forces with the Organizations of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to launch the #WeAreEqual campaign in the country.
During the launch event held at the State House on Monday 13th of May 2024, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for collective action towards gender equity and closing the gap through this initiative. She has chosen education as the primary focus of the campaign in Nigeria, recognizing its powerful role as a tool for change.
“The theme for the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria is ‘Education as a Powerful Tool for Change: No Girl Left Behind,'” Senator Tinubu stated. “The Campaign is focused on four main pillars: Health, Gender-Based Violence, Education, and Economic Empowerment.”
To rally stakeholders and promote the campaign, Senator Tinubu has decided to use education as a catalyst, while also addressing the other pillars through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) led by her office.
As part of the campaign’s activities, Senator Tinubu attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, Osun State, on April 23. She expressed her motivation to establish these schools nationwide, enabling girls who have dropped out of school due to various challenges the opportunity to complete their secondary education.
“My motivation for the establishment of this school as an educationist is the desire to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to several challenges have another opportunity to complete high school and acquire higher education to enable them to reach their full potential in life,” she said.
Senator Tinubu also highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education, citing the introduction of the National Student Loan Scheme, which aims to provide unhindered access to education for Nigerian youth.
The Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, acknowledged the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria and assured that the present administration is working towards achieving complete education for all.
With the launch of the #WeAreEqual campaign and the establishment of Alternative High Schools for Girls, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and OAFLAD are taking a significant step towards promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, and ensuring that no girl is left behind in the pursuit of education and socio-economic inclusion.
