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FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU ADDRESSES 29TH OAFLAD GENERAL ASSEMBLY, VOWS TO BOOST WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed her commitment to advocacy, resource mobilization, and fostering partnerships to close the gender gap and boost women and youth empowerment in Nigeria. She made this pledge while addressing the 29th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Addis Ababa. The SSA Media to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, stated that Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for collective action to address the challenges facing women and children in Africa. The First Lady noted that despite progress made in various fields, women and children still face numerous challenges, including health issues, female genital mutilation, child marriage, gender-based violence, and girl child education. “This year marks three decades since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration. The impact of this declaration is evident in the remarkable progress Nigerian women have made, emerging from our villages to big cities and even the world stage,” Senator Tinubu said. “Their contributions span across diverse fields, from education to health, science, technology, politics, music, the fashion industry, business, and finance, amongst others.” Senator Tinubu also highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving the implementation of OAFLAD’s 2025-2030 Strategic Framework. “As we progress with #WeAreEqualInAction, I am committed to advocacy, resource mobilization, and fostering partnerships to close the gender gap and boost women and youth empowerment in Nigeria,” she said. Busola Kukoyi stated that the First Lady has already begun implementing various initiatives to support women, youths, the aged, and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria. Through her pet project, RHI, Senator Tinubu has procured 60,000 Professional Kits for Midwives and launched the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis. Kukoyi added that the First Lady will partner with the Federal Ministry of the Environment to scale up environmental awareness among young people in secondary schools and higher institutions. Other speakers at the General Assembly, including H.E. Amb. Minata Samaté Cessouma and H.E. Winnie Byanyima, emphasized the urgent need to focus on promoting opportunities for women, stemming gender-based violence, and securing the future of African children. The 29th General Assembly of OAFLAD was convened with the emphasis on championing women’s leadership and rights, 30 years after the Beijing Women Conference of 1995. Kukoyi stated that the First Lady is committed to doing more for Nigerian girls, women, and youth in line with OAFLAD’s strategic framework.

VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA SAYS ONGOING REFORMS WILL CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that the ongoing reforms initiated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youth population and providing greater opportunities in various sectors of the economy. In a Statement made available to CTN, Senior Special Assistant to The Vice President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Vice President made this statement during the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital. The Vice President emphasized the importance of skills acquisition among young Nigerians, saying the nation can no longer afford to have a growing population of idle, unemployed, and unemployable youths. Nkwocha noted that the Vice President stated, “The danger of paying lip service to technical and vocational skills acquisition is one none of us is prepared to experience… His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has championed economic reforms beyond the usual cosmetic fixes to lay the groundwork for greater opportunities ahead”. VP Shettima also commended the foresight of Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, in establishing the vocational institute, which has graduated over 9,000 students in just three years. Nkwocha in the statement pointed out that the Vice President applauded the governor’s aspiration to turn the state into a hub of jobs and opportunities. The Vice President also flagged off the distribution of relief materials to flood victims, tractors, and paddy rice to farmers in the state, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the people of Nasarawa State. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari; Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe; and the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd). As Nkwocha noted, the Vice President’s visit to Nasarawa State was a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to supporting state-led initiatives in economic development and youth empowerment.