Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has inaugurated an Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, Osun State, built by her pet project – the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and handed it over to Osun Government.
The initiative aims to provide a second chance for girls who had to drop out of formal education.
The school is equipped with the state of the art facilities, including a creche to ensure young mothers can attend classes without worrying about their babies.
‘It also has a skills acquisition centre to provide vocational training and economic empowerment, modern classrooms and an ICT centre.
During the inauguration, Senator Tinubu also empowered 1000 women in Osun with N50 million to either start or boost their small businesses.
Additionally, she provided business startup items such as shoes and handbags to support their entrepreneurial endeavors.
This project is part of Senator Tinubu’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and women’s empowerment, reflecting her belief that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting socio-economic development.
She said: “I am delighted to be back again in Osogbo, Osun State to inaugurate the alternative high school for girls. On the April 23, the soil turning ceremony for the construction of this school took place.
“Today’s inauguration marks the fulfilment of the commitment I made during the launch of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) hashtag “we are equal campaign in Nigeria” on May 13, using education as my focus under the theme , Education as a Powerful Tool for Change, no girl left behind.
“This is to ensure that women and girls, regardless of their circumstance have access to quality education.”
Mrs. Tinubu thanked Gov. Ademola Adeleke and his wife for approving land for the school.
She said the school located in Osogbo, the state capital, is one of the six alternative schools for girls that would be built across the country by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Tinubu announced that the five other schools would be located in Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo and Rivers States while 44 of such schools have been built in the Northern part of the country.
She said the Renewed Hope Initiative would continue to champion programmes that empowers girls, women and youth across the country, adding“Education empowers individuals to meet their full potential.”
The first lady also donated new shoes, hang bags and N50,000 each to 1000 women as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Scheme.
She said Mrs Titilola Adeleke would disburse the items and the N50 million (already deposited) to the 1000 selected women.
In addition, Tinubu announced that on Dec. 17, 250 elderly persons in the state would receive N200,000 each under the Renewed Hope Elderly Support Programme.
According to her, the state government had promised to support the initiative by providing the same amount to additional 250 elderly persons.
Welcoming the First Lady, Gov. Adeleke thanked her and President Bola Tinubu for establishing the school in his home state.
He said: “We are elated because the family under the father of the nation, President Bola Tinubu, is deepening state-federal relationship.
“This new partnership is a landmark development in the history of our nation.
We express our gratitude to the first lady on this completed project,”
Leave a comment