Malala Calls for Declaration of Emergency in Nigeria’s Education

Workers vow to resist Yusuf
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
Advocate of children education, Malala Yousafzai, Monday called for the declaration of emergency in Nigeria’s educational sector, saying education of young persons are crucial to a nation’s progress.

Malala made the call while answering questions from journalists in the State House after paying a visit to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa.

Malala escaped death by the whiskers in 2012 in Pakistan following her persistent campaign for the education of girlchild. She was specifically shot on October 9, 2012 after a Pakistani Taliban issued a death threat against her when she was 15 years old , an episode which drew world attention and consequently made her an international figure.

She has since been running an education trust fund which serves as her platform for the campaign for education of all children. The fund has a chapter in Nigeria.

Answering questions from journalists after the meeting, Malala said during the meeting, she advocated two issues – a declaration of emergency in the education sector as well as the implementation of Child Rights Act.
Shea also said she had earlier met with the freed Chibok girls and was excited about their freedom and equally called for the release of others who are still in captivity.

“It was a very good meeting. I had a very good response. I highlighted a few issues. The first was to ask the government to declare a state of emergency in education because the education of the Nigerian girls and boys is really important. The Federal government, state government and local government should all be united for this. “Secondly, the spending should be made public and thirdly, the Child Rights Act should be implemented in all states. I was really happy to hear a positive response from the acting president that they are happy with the suggestion of implementing emergency for education and that they are happy to work more on education and that they are united.

“I’m happy to hear positive responses from the ministers as well that they are ensuring that education is prioritised for both boys nd the girl child and that education in Nigeria is given priority.

“In the morning, I met Chibok girls and I was very happy at what the honourable minister is doing to support the Chibok girls. I’m really excited to see them going back to their homes and to their families and continuing their education. But I hope the other girls who are still under abduction of Boko Haram are released,” she stated.
She was accompanied by her father and Co-founder of Malala Fund, Ziauddin Yousafzai. Also in attendance was the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan.

Also yesterday, the acting president received the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and President of International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), Olumuyiwa Aliyu, to the Villa.
Answering questions from journalists after the meeting, the minister said the acting president whom he said had flying drones counselled them not to over regulate the use of drones so that people would not be discouraged.