President Bola Tinubu launched the #WeAreEqual campaign on Monday, promoting inclusive education, skill development, and gender equity. The initiative, tagged “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change,” is part of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and focuses on health, education, economic empowerment, and gender-based violence.
“This campaign holds significant importance for us in Africa. I, therefore, congratulate you all, particularly my dear wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, who has chosen education as a primary tool to champion this campaign nationwide,” President Tinubu said.
The President also stated why it is important to achieve gender equity and equal opportunities for all. “We must continue to create opportunities for all our children 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.
Speaking on the re-introduction of the Alternative High School for Girls, initiated by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which offers a second chance for young girls who have dropped out of school to continue their education and fulfill their dreams, Tinubu said “I am happy to note that the foundation stone of one of the schools was recently laid in Osun State, in western Nigeria, by the First Lady. More schools are underway across the country, supported by state governments, the federal government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and other development partners”
According to the president, education is the cornerstone of national development and that empowering girls and women is essential to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. and “We must be conscious of the fact that the empowerment of women and girls is essential to achieving each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. We must 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,”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian child is excluded from quality education and urged stakeholders to continue promoting inclusive education and gender equity. “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 for the better. It is now my honour to launch the (#) We Are Equal Campaign in Nigeria. I wish you all a fruitful deliberation. I enjoin you to enjoy your stay in our beautiful country.” He said
