A memorable moment unfolded in Abuja on Monday when a teenage girl, Joy Ogah, took the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa to act as Nigeria’s Vice President for one day.
The symbolic event took place during a courtesy visit by the PLAN International team led by Helen Idiong, where Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and gender equality across the country.
Speaking during the engagement, the Vice President emphasized that the school feeding programme remains one of the Federal Government’s most effective strategies for keeping children in school. He assured the delegation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is fully dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower girls and promote inclusive education. “In President Bola Tinubu, una get person wey believe in una and ready to support una,” Shettima said, highlighting the government’s vision for youth and gender inclusion.
He also praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a shining example of what the girl-child can achieve when given the right support and opportunities.
After his remarks, Shettima invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat as Acting Vice President for one day. Joy used the opportunity to deliver a passionate message calling on the government, non-governmental organizations, and those in positions of authority to prioritize girl-child education, provide free sanitary pads, and ensure access to clean water, food, and safe learning environments for all schoolgirls.
She drew attention to the alarming statistics showing that more than 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, with 60 percent of them being girls. “I fit be Vice President for one day, but di fight wey I represent no go end today. Make e continue for our policy, classrooms and budgets,” she declared, earning admiration from attendees for her courage and clarity.
The event, organized to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, highlighted the importance of empowering young girls to become leaders and change-makers in their communities.
