Girl Child Education Paramount To Nation Building, First Lady Emphasises

** *Commissions renovated High School for Girls in Lagos

By: Our Reporter

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu @SenRemiTinubu, has commissioned the renovated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin local government area of Lagos State, insisting that education for the girl child is paramount to nation building.

The school, established in 2007 during the tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor of Lagos State, was created to provide girls whose education had been interrupted by early pregnancy and other socio-economic challenges with an opportunity to return to school, complete their secondary education and acquire vocational skills.

The renovated school comprising two blocks, with more than 26 classrooms, has Agriculture, physics and biology laboratories, cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics classes as well as well equipped Library and ICT facilities.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady, who was represented by wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima @kujarima, reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that girls whose education has been disrupted by life’s challenges are given a second chance to fulfil their potential.

She noted that the establishment of the school was founded on the conviction that no girl or woman should be denied the opportunity to reach her full potential because of the challenges she encounters in life.

Senator Tinubu expressed delight at the renovation and equipping of the school through the intervention of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), just as she commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba and her team for their commitment to improving the learning environment.

She also applauded UBEC’s efforts towards establishing Alternative High Schools for Girls across the country, particularly the ongoing construction of another school in Ikorodu, Lagos State, which she said would soon be ready for commissioning.

The First Lady explained that the vision is to establish at least one Alternative High School for Girls in each of the three senatorial districts in the state.

She said Lagos West and Lagos East now have one school each, leaving Lagos Central as the remaining district.

Accordingly, she urged the Lagos State Government to complete the initiative by establishing an additional Alternative High School for Girls in Lagos Central, while ensuring the effective operation and proper maintenance of all the schools to enable more girls to complete their education and acquire relevant skills.

Addressing the students, Senator Tinubu encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the school, even as she asked them not to allow their past experiences to define their future.

“Let your past not define your future. With determination, discipline, and hard work, you can achieve your dreams and become positive contributors to our nation’s development,” she said.

On her part, wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who represented her husband, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the commissioning as unveiling of a new school.

She noted that it has restored dignity and created new opportunities for young women, adding that educating a girl is educating a family, a community, and a nation.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba said the Commission is committed to providing alternative access to education with skills development across the country.

She said the renovation of the Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju was part of the renewed commitment of the federal government, as work on the same school in Ikorodu is ongoing and will be commissioned soon.

There were goodwill messages from the lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Schools and Lagos SUBEB chairman.

Highpoint of the commissioning ceremony was the inspection of the facility by representative of the First Lady, Hajiya Shettima.

Girl Child Education Paramount To Nation Building, First Lady Emphasises