Education Is A Right Not A Privilege - Osun First Lady.....

As Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Turns Sod For Alternative High School for Girls

In her efforts to ensure that girl child in Osun State has equal opportunity to educate like the male counterpart, First Lady of the state, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, has called on citizens of the state to unite in their society where education is a right not a privilege.

The Osun First Lady made this call on Tuesday during the turning of the sod for Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo.

THIRDEYEONLINE gathered that the project is the first of kind in South West Nigeria.

Speaking , Mrs Adeleke maintained that education is a right not a privilege and with it every child can reach their full potential.

She appreciated Nigeria First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for ensuring the actualization of the Alternative High School for Girls through her office.

“I want to appreciate the First Lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, for this wonderful initiative in education, you have a shared developmental agenda with the executive governor of Osun state , who has several programmes in place to reposition education in the state.

“The present of esteem First Lady here signify the collective dedication to the welfare and empowerment of girls in various states, through the intervention like Renewed Hope Initiative.

“We are working toward better society for all, let us unite in our society where education is a right not a privilege and ensuring every child can reach their full potential.”

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her own address said she 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 educationist 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”.

“Therefore, 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.”

She lauded Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for providing piece of land for the project saying “very soon we will return to Osun to commission this project.”

Governor Adeleke also thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for counting Osun worthy to site the project.

He stressed that his government is committed to protecting female against all forms of gender based violence and empower them.

“We have met the Ministry of Women Affairs and resolved to set up mobile courts to try domestic sexual violence matters.

“Additionally, we are compiling a list of unfairly jailed girls and women to get them released. This is in addition to an agenda of empowering the womenfolk through the Cooperative lawn scheme” the governor added.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Boboyyi said “The focus of the school is to provide women and girls who, for one reason or the other, did not complete their basic education and who desire to go back to school, the opportunity to achieve their educational ambition.

“The available data show that of the 3,904,713 pupils in Primary Six across the country in 2021, who were expected to transit to JSS in 2022, only 1,602,213 could be accounted for in JSS One of 2022 While there are regional variations, the problem is nationwide and deserves to be addressed urgently.

“It is necessary to engage this category of children and young adults and give them another chance to complete their education. It is also in this regard that I feel highly obliged to congratulate, once again, Her Excellency First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her foresight in adopting the Alternative School and indeed her choice of Osun State as her next destination in launching the programme.”