Nigerian Teenager takes over as one-day Vice President from Kashim Shettima

Nigerian Teenager takes over as One-Day Vice President from Kashim Shettima

In a symbolic act of mentorship and support for the girl-child, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday handed over his office to teenager Joy Ogah, allowing her to oversee the affairs of the Vice President’s office for a day.

The event, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was part of an engagement with a delegation from Plan International, led by Helen Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.

Observers also noted that the initiative reinforced the Tinubu administration’s commitment to promoting girl-child education and gender equality.

Addressing the delegation, Shettima reassured development partners and stakeholders of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to advancing educational opportunities for girls nationwide.

“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” Shettima said, highlighting that government interventions such as the school feeding programme remain critical to keeping children, particularly girls, in school.

He also praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as an example of what a well-supported and empowered girl-child can achieve. “A properly empowered and supported girl-child can blossom into a great leader,” Shettima noted, emphasising the importance of education and empowerment in shaping future female leaders.

“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 added.

After his remarks, the Vice President invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat for a day and address the nation, an opportunity she embraced with enthusiasm.

Speaking from the Vice President’s chair, Miss Ogah urged government officials, policymakers, and citizens to take deliberate actions toward advancing girl-child education and protecting the rights of every girl. She also called for free sanitary products in schools and improved access to water, sanitation, and nutrition for Nigerian children.

She highlighted the troubling reality that 10.5 million children remain out of school across Nigeria, with more than 60 percent of them being girls.

According to her, 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.