President Tinubu Remains Committed to Girl-Child Education, Says VP Shettima

… As teenage Joy Ogah takes over VP seat as one-day vice president, makes strong case for girl-child

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured stakeholders and development partners of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.

He said among other government interventions in girl-child education, the school feeding programme remains essential.

Speaking during a meeting with a PLAN International delegation led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong on Monday, Senator Shettima invited a teenager, Joy Ogah, to take over the seat of the Vice President for a day and address the nation.

He noted that studies have shown that well-nourished children are well-formed.

“We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education,” the Vice President told the PLAN delegation.

He further told the delegation that “in President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” adding that the administration is passionate and deeply committed to advancing girl-child education.

The Vice President also described First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a symbol of how a properly empowered and supported girl-child can blossom into a great leader.

He recalled that when the First Lady served in the Nigerian Senate, she contributed actively to debates, especially those relating to girl-child education.

“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,” he stated.
The Vice President assured PLAN International that the administration’s doors are open for continuous engagement, adding that “the ladies on my team are the best people to engage.”

After his remarks, the Vice President invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat for a day, an opportunity she gladly accepted.

Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Ogah expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent millions of Nigerian girls.

She noted that across Nigeria, 10.5 million children are out of school, with over 60 percent of them being girls.

Ogah emphasized that Nigerian girls can become leaders if the necessary interventions are implemented by relevant authorities and stakeholders.

She called on the government, policymakers, development partners, and citizens to act strategically in advancing girl-child education.

“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said.

Ogah urged relevant authorities to enforce laws that protect the rights of every girl-child and highlighted the need to provide free sanitary products in schools, as well as ensure access to water, sanitation, and nutrition for the Nigerian child.

“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she added.

She continued: “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.”

According to her, every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.

Earlier, Idiong noted that girls around the world face crises, and Nigeria is no exception.

Representing PLAN International, she explained that the organization has provided interventions for over 11 million Nigerian children in areas such as education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

“We have been working across Nigeria to improve the lives of children,” she said.

She recalled that in 2024, PLAN visited the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, where a girl took over the Speaker’s seat for a day and called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads and diapers.

Ogah appreciated the Federal Government, noting that the girl’s request had since been implemented following the passage and signing into law of the Tax Reforms Act.

On behalf of PLAN International, she urged the government to continue ensuring that girls have access to education and that schools remain affordable for all.

President Tinubu Remains Committed to Girl-Child Education, Says VP Shettima

26 kidnapped victims regain freedom in Katsina under peace initiative

By: Zagazola Makama

Twenty-six kidnapped victims, including men and women, have regained their freedom in Katsina State under the ongoing peace accord initiative facilitated through Operation Safe Corridor.

The victims were released on Oct. 19, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m. following sustained dialogue and reconciliation efforts between local leaders and armed groups operating in the area.

A delegation from the Faskari Local Government Area received the freed victims, who were immediately taken to the Primary Health Care Centre, Faskari, for medical evaluation and treatment.

After medical checks, the victims were reunited with their families amid emotional scenes of relief and gratitude.

Officials said the development was part of ongoing confidence-building efforts aimed at deepening peace and restoring normalcy across communities affected by banditry and kidnapping in the state.

They added that the situation remains under close observation as stakeholders continue to consolidate the gains of the peace process.

26 kidnapped victims regain freedom in Katsina under peace initiative

NSCDC Condemns Invasion of Its National Headquarters by Protesters

By: Michael Mike

The high command and management of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has condemned the invasion of the Corps Headquarters on Monday by some alleged anti-government protesters.

Speaking on the invasion by over 50 protesters at the entrance of the Corps National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning; the Corps National Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Afolabi Babawale said the act was totally condemnable as the protesters invaded the entrance of the Corps National Headquarters chanting different protest songs.

Babawale said the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, had earlier sent a red alert warning across the Corps Commands and Formation on the need to be warry of those protesters who have marked October 20 as a protest day in support of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and the need for the operatives to enhance the security and protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in their respective domain.

He said: “Our respective Formations and Commands have been alerted on the need to upscale security in the protection of the nation’s critical infrastructure in order to avert anything form of vandalism by hoodlums and unscrupulous elements who could hijack the protest.

“Intelligence Undercover and Uniform personnel were also deployed across the States and the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja to ensure the security of lives and property as some defiant individuals might turn out for the protest which has already been barred by court.

He added that: “On this note the NSCDC wishes to reiterate its commitment to the discharging of its Statutory mandate in Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Disaster Management, Monitoring and Supervision of Private Guard Companies, Protection of Farmers and Crops to enhance Food Security amongst others.

“The NSCDC however will not succumb to any form of threats, disruption of peace, Vandalism of government utilities, activities of economic saboteurs in the oil or mining sectors, attacks of its operatives and destruction of property.

“The Corps reaffirm that as much as the civil populace reserves the right to meaningful gathering and freedom of association; the need to exercise caution and restraint is fundamental especially where court bars any reasonable citizen from such gathering”.

He called upon respective stakeholders to collaborate with the Corps in order to ensure the security of the national assets and infrastructure of the nation, noting that culpable suspects arrested would face the full wrath of the law.

NSCDC Condemns Invasion of Its National Headquarters by Protesters