UNICEF applauds First Lady’s investments in women and children’s education

…Hails release of abducted Oyo School teachers, students

‎The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has commended the First Lady for investing in women and children and the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, over the recent rescue of 39 abducted pupils and 5 teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant SSA Media to the First Lady, in a statement, said UNICEF gave the commendation during a visit to the First Lady by a UNICEF delegation, led by Catherine Russell, the Executive Director, Mission to Nigeria.

Russell said the commendation was in recognition of the First Lady’s commitments that have put issues of women and children on the front burner of her various interventions, particularly through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI.

UNICEF noted that investing in women and children is an investment in the future of the nation, adding that ‎”UNICEF is glad to stay part of the time, helping as much as possible; we thank the leadership for rescuing children in conflict”.

‎”What I see in my travels around the world is that conflict is one of the most difficult situations for children, whether it is displacement, conflict, violence, abductions, whatever it is, children need to be protected in these situations”
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UNICEF also commended the First Lady for championing the birth registration drive, which resulted in an upsurge to 14 million children across the country within two years.

‎The Organisation said the massive success pointing out that it was achieved through several key factors, including the direct contribution of Senator Oluremi Tinubu advocating through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

‎”I think as Nigeria continues to advance, this will be an important moment to invest in children, and I like to commend the leadership and RHI for birth registration”.

‎”Birth registration is one of the most important because children are part of our priority to guarantee a great future”.

‎The First Lady has been at the forefront, playing pivotal roles in the campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), among others.

The First Lady, in her response, expressed her gladness for the return of the abducted children and for UNICEF to identify with the government during the dark periods.

‎”We are used to UNICEF coming to partner with our office in the way of advocacy because we know we have ministries, and the work of the First Lady is complementary and supportive”.‎
‎”I agree with you that children are very important in any country for the development of that country”.
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‎”When you have children, and they are not well invested in, no matter how wealthy that country is, they will not be able to make substantial growth”.

‎”That is why, for me, with an education background in teaching, I have known that we have to invest in our children”.
‎”As you mentioned, the children in conflict areas, you also understand that Nigeria is a developing economy and the population size is quite daunting”.

‎The First Lady, however, expressed concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children, mostly amongst the Almajiris.

‎She said the government is also looking into ensuring that they are well placed and gain formal education in special schools in addition to skills acquisition.

‎ Other members of the delegation include UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef; Chief of Staff, Ted Mary; Senior Adviser, Communication, Marlene Jensen; Head of Project, Marline Serrano and Executive Specialist, Nabila Jamshed.