By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said the future of the nation rest on the need for proper education of girl-child education which she said is panacea for nation building.

She said no nation in the world grows without education, hence the need for the present administration of President Bola Tinubu to take education as a priority and must be taken seriously in the quest to develop the nation

The wife of the president spoke in Osogbo during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an Alternative High School for Girls in Osun State.

Accompanied by other first ladies, she disclosed that the ceremony marks the beginning of an opportunity for a new chapter and chance for a promising future for the exceptional young girls and women who would walk through the doors of this very school.

“I envisioned and introduced the idea for the establishment of an Alternative High School for Girls, a vision which was accepted and utilised by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in 2007 when my husband was the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and this particular school still runs till date.

“My motivation as an educatitonist and life long teacher stemmed from the desire to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, economic or financial reasons and many more, have a second chance to complete high school, acquire higher education and valuable life skills, to enable them reach their full potential in life.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, values education and has introduced the National Student Loan Scheme which is now in effect for our youth to have unhindered access to education, knowing that education is the bedrock of national development and the cornerstone upon which dreams are built, skills acquired and aspirations generally realized.

“In a world where every girl deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach her fullest potential, it is a sad thing to witness the barriers that stand in the way of their education. No doubt, without education, girls would lack necessary skills to support themselves and access information to make informed decisions about their health and future.

“The alarming rate of school dropouts among girls are a stark reminder of the need for alternative solutions in their educational pursuits. The consequences of this challenge are profound, affecting not only their individual lives, but also has attendant socio-economic implications for our Nation.

“We cannot afford to squander the potential and talents of half of our population. Ensuring access to inclusive and equitable quality education that fosters lifelong learning opportunities for everyone is essential, in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is to “Ensure Inclusive and Equitable, Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All”.

“I am delighted to be part of this crucial endeavour today. Let me also reiterate that Osun State was chosen as the location for this school through a transparent and unbiased raffle draw process at a strategic meeting with the State First Ladies. So, be rest assured that, the siting of this school here in Osogbo, emanated from a fair process and it is a divinely guided one.

“It is also worthy of note that today’s event will culminate into the launch of the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria, an initiative championed by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

” I am using education as a tool to promote the Campaign in Nigeria. This campaign recognizes that true equality requires equal access to education, and that educated women are the foundation of strong, prosperous societies.

The official launch date of the event will be in May, 2024 by the special grace of God.As we embark on this noble endeavour, let us remember the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

” I urge us to commit to this, knowing that with education, we can break the chains of poverty, ignorance, and inequality, by providing our women and girls with tools and resources to thrive and succeed.

“Very soon, by the special grace of God, we would be back here to officially commission a fully built and furnished school on the blocks we have laid today.

I thank the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke for swiftly providing us with a piece of land to embark on this noble project. My appreciation also goes to the First Lady of Osun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Titilola Adeleke for her warm reception and support. I am grateful.

I commend the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hammid Bobboyi and his entire team for this and all the other Alternative High School projects the Commission has embarked upon. Good job.

Earlier, the governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke while welcoming the Nigerian first lady assure that his administration will follow up and provide needed support to ensure a robust operation upon completion of the school.

He said his administration is committed to supporting girl child education. We have introduced a series of programs which strengthen the capacity of families to provide basic needs. Hence, we emphasize workers’ welfare as a critical first-line item in our five-point agenda.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan oguwusi Adeyeye who led other traditional rulers to welcome the first lady described her as a unifier.