Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says she is committed to strengthening the hands of young girls in the country to shape a future that matches their dreams.
She stated this while handing over 140,000 copies of seven different story books on girl child development published by Merck Foundation to the Federal Ministry of Education.
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The First Lady wrote the forward for the books, which were reproduced by her office.
The First Lady said the books with different subject matters and offering life lessons would benefit both boys and girls by helping them develop confidence, empathy, healthy habits, and an appreciation for equity and social responsibility.
”It gladdens my heart that I am able to partner with the Merck Foundation on this. They are quite small but meaningful compared to our population size; they have been working with other African nations.
” We now use them as RHI International partners, and they are committed to improving health care, education and social development across Africa.
”Through our partnership, the foundation has provided 91 medical scholarships that are helping to strengthen the health sector in Nigeria,” she said.
Incentives
While handing over the books to the minister of education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for onwards distribution to public school libraries nationwide, the First Lady noted that adequate incentives must be provided to help the girl child navigate her complex pathway to development, especially through functional education.
Their acquisition is one of the many fruits borne by Nigeria’s First Lady’s collaboration with the Merck Foundation, targeting the promotion of girl child education in the country.
”I am confident that the ministry will facilitate the effective distribution of the books to public school libraries across the country, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds can benefit from their lessons,” she added.
While reviewing the seven storybooks, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa noted that they expose fundamental issues around girl child development, including gender discrimination and sexual violence, while also capturing an attempt by the First Lady and Merck Foundation to strengthen needed values in girls through the provision of the books.
Dr Alausa commended the First Lady for supporting education in the country and for her continuous support to citizens irrespective of misinformation.
He further acknowledged that the Ministry is also following the footsteps of the First Lady by impacting the lives of children.
” I promise you that we will use these books and disseminate them across the country.
“With the official handing over, the distribution of the books to public school libraries across the country has commenced,” he said.
