President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has called on the African First Ladies to work together to promote laws and policies that protect and promote women’s rights, invest in girls’ education and skills development and create economic opportunities that are accessible to all. Speaking at the launch of the organization on Monday in Abuja tagged #Weareequal Campaign”, Tinubu stated that the empowerment of women and girls is essential to achieving each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the campaign, which has been successfully launched in 15 other African countries, focuses on health, education, economic empowerment and gender based violence, is intended to help advance gender equality and narrow the gender gap in opportunities and appointments across the African continent. He acknowledged that the focus of the launch of this campaign in Nigeria, “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change” is critical for Africa’s development and attain gender equity and ensure equal opportunities for all. He called on the First Ladies to continue to create opportunities for all children to be able to access quality education without leaving anyone behind, particularly the girl child. “We must engender a society where everyone has the same opportunities, regardless of who they are, because doing that leads to a stronger and more peaceful society for all,” he said. According to the statement by the Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Media & Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu said that the campaign focusing on health, education, economic empowerment, and gender-based violence, had been launched in 15 African countries. He commended the commitment and dedication of the African First Ladies, as members of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) for their efforts towards bridging the gender gap in Africa. He disclosed that the Nigerian branch of the organization headed by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has, however, chosen education as a primary tool to champion the campaign nationwide. “Research has consistently highlighted education as the cornerstone for national development. When girls are empowered to pursue their dreams, communities thrive, economies prosper and nations succeed.
“It is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to continue to take bold and decisive actions to eliminate the structural inequalities that hold women back on the continent. “For us in Nigeria, the full operationalization of the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act is key to achieving these goals as it will ensure that all young people have unhindered access to education. “The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is also implementing a N50,000 non-repayable grant programme for one million Nigerians in Nano businesses and skilled trades, including women and youth. “We will continue to work to end gender-based violence and increase learning opportunities for girls in safe and conducive environments. These measures will enable more women succeed in different vocations and properly shape their future endeavours, from politics to engineering, science, technology, sports and the creative economy,” he said While commending the African First Ladies for the #weareequal campaign, he added that more mentorship is needed to help girls embrace their cultural identities and traditions proudly and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian child is excluded from quality education that prepares women and girls to lead and bring positive changes to our communities. “As Africans, we believe in wholesome society. We are family-oriented, and we value the collective well-being of all. It is our duty as parents and guardians to teach our girls our cherished cultural values and traditions. Africans are known for warm hospitality and generosity. Our can-do-spirit also imbues us with the ability to thrive in challenging environments and circumstances. We are who we are. We are Africans. “Let us carry forward this campaign, which promises to gift an educated girl-child the potential to bring the necessary change and transform African communities,” he added. In her speech, Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs.Oluremi Tinubu, said that education would continue to receive the needed attention from the government because it would always remain the bedrock for national development. She assured that African First Ladies are focused on giving education to the girl child in order to bridge the gender gap through the year-long campaign.
“The #WeAreEqual campaign is a year-long, continent-wide initiative, led by OAFLAD. This significant campaign unites African First Ladies, partners, and allies in our collective effort to advance gender equity and bridge the gender gap throughout the continent. “The Campaign is focused on four main pillars, namely: Health, Gender-Based Violence, Education and Economic Empowerment – to rally stakeholders and call for action around each of these key issues,” she said. Some of the First Ladies attending the event included those of Ghana, Kenya, Angola and Burundi.
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