President Bola Tinubu officially gave his approval on May 13, 2024, to the #WeAreEqual Campaign to promote gender equity in Africa. Tinubu gave his support for the campaign while speaking at the start of the event, which was organized by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and was hosted by the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu. Research has shown that Education is crucial for the progress of a country. Empowering girls to follow their aspirations leads to thriving communities, prosperous economies, and successful nations.
Empowering women and girls is crucial for successfully reaching all of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. This campaign aims to emphasize the importance of this realization. As part of OAFLAD, the African first ladies have shown remarkable dedication and commitment to promoting gender equality and reducing the gap in opportunities and appointments within Africa. The President’s admiration goes out to them for their efforts. The Campaign led by esteemed individuals like them is of great significance to people in Africa.
The president urged all Nigerians to actively participate in the campaign.
He extended his congratulations to all involved. A special mention went to his beloved wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, for dedicating herself to promoting education as a key component of this nationwide campaign. He stood by his dedication to guaranteeing that every Nigerian child has access to a high-quality education that empowers females to be leaders and catalysts for positive transformations within their communities. He was pleased to announce the inauguration. The president urged all Nigerians to actively participate in the campaign, emphasizing that educating a young girl has the power to positively impact African communities and create much-needed change.
Also, this campaign has made a significant impact in 15 African nations, addressing important issues such as health, education, economic empowerment, and gender-related violence. It is inspiring to see the diverse initiatives that each of Africa’s leaders have taken in their countries. He commended and supported all of their efforts. It is crucial for the progress of Africa that they prioritize the launch of this campaign in Nigeria, titled Education as a Powerful Tool for Change.
Ensuring equal access to quality education for every child.
Achieving Gender Equality and providing fair opportunities for everyone are their main objectives. It is important that they strive to ensure equal access to quality education for every child, with a focus on empowering girls. Their goal should be to cultivate a society where equal opportunities are available to all individuals, irrespective of their identity. The president further said that the campaign came at the right time, considering the reintroduction of the Alternative High School for Girls, led by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
Furthermore, the First Lady reintroduced the Alternative High School for Girls in Nigeria, coinciding with the start of an admirable campaign. This launch is significant and deserving of recognition. They believe in giving young girls a fresh start by providing them with the opportunity to continue their education and pursue their goals and dreams, even after dropping out of school. Recently, in Osun State, in the western region of Nigeria, the first lady had the pleasure of laying the foundation stone for a new school.
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Additionally, the OAFLAD initiative is just one of many happening nationwide, with the assistance of state and federal governments, as well as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and various development partners. In his speech, the president praised the dedicated individuals of OAFLAD throughout Africa, as well as the various development partners, Civil Society representatives, and members of the diplomatic community. It was reported that the #WeAreEqual campaign was initiated by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Introduced in 15 African nations under various names, this initiative targets health, education, financial independence, and combatting gender-based violence.