Vice President Kashim Shettima stepped aside on Monday to allow Joy Ogah serve as Vice President for a day, highlighting the government’s commitment to girl-child education and gender equality.
The symbolic gesture took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when Shettima hosted a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Idiong, the group’s Director of Program, Quality, and Innovation.
Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to supporting girls’ education and empowering women.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” VP Shettima told the delegation.
He also praised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her long-standing advocacy for girl-child education during her time in the Senate.
“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that this government is gender-friendly. We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” Shettima said.
Following his remarks, Shettima handed over his seat to Joy Ogah, who briefly led the vice president’s office and addressed the nation.
In her speech as Vice President for a day, Ogah called on the government, lawmakers, and development partners to prioritize education for girls, protection of their rights, and improved access to sanitary products, clean water, and school meals.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said.
Ogah lamented that 10.5 million Nigerian children remain out of school, with over 60% being girls, and stressed that Nigerian girls have the potential to become leaders if given equal opportunities.
“I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets,” she concluded.
