The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday launched Alternative High Schools for Girls in Ayepe Osogbo, Osun state.
The First Lady who described herself as an educationist and a life long teacher, stated that the main reason behind the initiative is because she’s motivated as an educationist and a life long time teacher to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies,cultural barriers, economy reasons among others to have second chance to complete and acquire higher education to enable them achieve their aim in life.
During the turning of SOD at Oke Dio, Ayepe Osogbo, Sen. Oluremi expressed her great pleasure to be in Osogbo for the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the school.
In her words, “It gives me great pleasure to be here in Osogbo for the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an alternative high school for girls in Osun State.
“This ceremony marks the beginning of an opportunity for a new chapter and chance of a promising future for the exceptional young girls and women who will walk through the doors of this very school. I envisioned and introduced the idea of the establishment of an alternative high school for girls.
“A vision which was accepted and utilized by the Lagos state ministry of education in the year 2007 when my husband was the governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007 and this particular schools still runs till date.
“My motivation as an educationist and a life long teacher start from the desire to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, economy and financial reasons and many more have the second change to complete high school, acquire higher education, acquire life skills to enable them achieve their aim in life.
She, however added that The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu values education, that’s why he introduced the national students loan scheme which is now in effect for youths to have unhindered access to education.
“Knowing that education is the bedrock of national development and the cornerstone upon which great are built, skills are acquired and aspirations generally realized.
“In a world where every girl deserves the opportunity to try and which are fully in potential, it is a sad thing to witness the barriers that stand in a way of their education. No doubt without education. She noted.
The Governor of Osun, Senator Ademola Adeleke who hosted the First Lady to a rousing welcome for the launching of Alternative High Schools for Girls, commended her years of dedicated public service.
In his address, Governor Adeleke affirmed his happiness, while describing Sen. Remi as “a woman of virtue, an Amazon who is a political pillar of our dear President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Your antecedents and your passion for public service are known to some of us. We have worked with you at close quarters and I can confirm that you are one of the best of sisterhood in the country.
“As your colleague in the Senate In those days, I can affirm your deep love for Nigeria, your commitment to national human development and your particular interest in the welfare of under-privilegded Nigerians. I am therefore not surprised when you assumed office and you unveiled several initiatives in support of girl children and the poor.
Adeleke, stated further by assuring the First Lady that his administration will follow up and provide needed support to ensure a robust operation upon completion of the school,
“We have introduced a series of programmes which strengthen the capacity of families to provide basic needs. Hence we emphasize workers welfare as a critical first line item in our five point agenda.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Osun state first lady, Her Excellency Titilola Adeleke appreciated The first lady who she described as the mother of the Nation.
“I am honored to welcome you to this important ceremony of the alternative school for girls. It is a significant occasion in our journey towards a brighter future for our girls and the society.
“I want to specially appreciate the first lady of the Federal Republic of the Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for this wonderful initiative in education. You have a shared developmental agenda with the executive governor of Osun State, who has put several programs in place to reposition education in the states.
In his remarks, The Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Ahmed Popoyi explained that the school when completed will have workshops for entrepreneurial training in the vocational traits like fashion design and tailoriy, Home Economics, and Catering.
“It will also have a laboratory equipped with desktop computers and tablets to provide digital literacy to all learners and enhance access and utilization of digital resources.
“Addition to these, there is provision for fully furnished and equipped classrooms, a nursery play area for the early childhood care development and education. It is expected that women who will enroll in the school will be accompanied by young children of Nazareth School age. The facility will not only allow their mothers to concentrate on their own programs, but will also entice the young kids, learn how to learn and provide the foundation they require to excel in their educational careers. Other supporting facilities to be provided in the school include Cafeteria,Sickbay,Staff rooms, and Offices designed to produce a Conducive environment to support teaching and learning”, he stated.
The First Lady was accompanied by eleven states’ first ladies, the wife of the Vice President, the wife of the Senate President, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Wife of the Chief of Staff to Mr President and other top women leaders from across the country.
