Posted by Malala Yousafzai, activist and UN ambassador for girls’ education, met with Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
On the occasion of her 26th birthday, she made the startling estimate that, despite the benefits of education, more than 120 million girls around the world still do not have access to school.
Ten years ago, Malala addressed the United Nations. She then became the United Nations’ Messenger of Peace. For her ten-year UN anniversary, she went back to her native Nigeria to advocate for girls’ rights and encourage them to get a well-rounded education so that they can contribute to society in meaningful ways.
She met with the number two citizen and then told reporters that her trip to the capital was motivated by the desire to advocate for girls’ education.
According to her, she’s in Nigeria since it’s her 26th birthday party. Ever since I gave my speech to the United Nations when I was 16 years old, I’ve been traveling the globe to speak with and advocate for girls everywhere.
“I want people to think about the education of other girls just like they thought about my education when I was growing up, because we know that there are more than 120 million girls who do not have access to education right now.
This is why I’m here in Nigeria: to advocate for girls’ education. Nigeria’s fate hangs on the outcome of this election. So, I’m here to raise awareness about such problems. I’m fortunate to have met several lovely ladies in Abuja, and I’m also here to talk and share my ideas with the local communities. In Borno State, I also had the opportunity to meet some inspiring young women, see their schools, and chat with several dedicated advocates for girls’ education. What gives us hope for a better future for the education of all children, especially girls, is the work of education advocates, girls, and civil society and government. Thank goodness I was able to meet with the Vice President; he was incredibly kind with his time and enthusiastically backed our cause.
She advocated on the Nigerian government at all levels to do more to get girls into school and provide equal educational opportunities for all children.
I boldly assert that every child in our nation deserves a free and high-quality public education, and I urge that we devote our full financial resources to this cause.
Three times I have visited Nigeria. In 2014, I traveled here to visit the parents of the Chibok girls who had been kidnapped and to show my support for them. In 2017, I returned and learned more about the efforts of activists and had the opportunity to connect with local young women. I’m back, and I can attest to the fact that a lot of progress has been made in recent years thanks to the efforts of government officials, civil society and education campaigners, and girls’ doggedness.
“I had the opportunity to speak with females about their experiences advocating for gender equality. There will be no more silence from them. They are seeking improved educational opportunities for themselves. She said after their meeting at the presidency, “Giving girls a chance and investing in their education is what gives me hope and brings me to Nigeria.