Vice President Kashim Shettima has stepped down from his seat to allow a teenager, Joy Ogah, to serve as Vice President for a day.
The act was described as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to promoting girl-child education and gender equality under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The event took place on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Idiong, the organisation’s Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.
During the meeting, Shettima reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving education for girls across the country.
He highlighted ongoing efforts, including the school feeding programme, as key to encouraging school attendance among children.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” VP Shettima told the delegation.
He also described First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a strong example of how an educated and empowered girl can grow into an influential leader.
Shettima recalled her active role in the Senate, particularly in debates concerning the welfare and education of girls.
“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that this government is gender-friendly,” he said.
“We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation.”
After his remarks, the Vice President invited Joy Ogah to sit in his chair and address the nation in her capacity as “Vice President for a day.”
Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Ogah urged the government, policymakers, and development partners to take stronger actions toward advancing girl-child education and protecting girls’ rights.
She also called for the free provision of sanitary products in schools and better access to clean water, sanitation, and nutrition for Nigerian children.
Ogah expressed concern that about 10.5 million children in Nigeria remain out of school, with girls making up more than 60 percent of that number.
She stressed that Nigerian girls can rise to leadership positions if the right policies and support systems are put in place.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible.
“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 said.
KanyiDaily recalls that the presidency recently dismissed claims that Kashim Shettima took a subtle jab at President Bola Tinubu over the political crisis in Rivers State.
