By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Fourteen-year-old Joy Ogah has emerged as the Vice President of Nigeria for one day, symbolically taking over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
As Nigeria’s one-day Vice President, Ogah advocated the rights and education of girls across Nigeria, urging that policies must translate to action to ensure safe and inclusive education for every child.
According to a stated by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday, October 21, the symbolic handover took place during a meeting on Monday, October 20, between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong.
Ogah emerged as the one-day Vice President of Nigeria in a symbolic display by Shettima of the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to inclusivity in governance, gender equality, advancing girl-child education, and inclusive learning nationwide.
In her capacity, Ogah highlighted the challenges facing girls in the country, noting that over 10.5 million children remain out of school, more than 60 per cent of whom are girls.
She also urged the government to provide free sanitary products in schools and ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and proper nutrition for all children, stressing that every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise interventions that protect and empower young girls.
Ogah also urged the government to provide free sanitary products in schools and ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and proper nutrition for all children. She stressed that every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.
The one-day vice president also noted that Nigerian girls can become leaders if the necessary interventions are implemented by relevant authorities and stakeholders.
“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.
In his speech, Shettima assured stakeholders and development partners of the commitment of President Tinubu to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.
He cited the many government interventions in girl-child education, among which he said the school feeding programme remains essential.
Shettima said, “We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the strength of the government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in.
“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that this government is gender-friendly. We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation.”
