Physical books in schools essential despite tech advancement- First Lady

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised that physical books must stay central to education even as technology advances, urging a focus on uninterrupted reading to expand children’s knowledge.

Speaking on the side-lines of the Fostering the Future Together Global Summit hosted by US First Lady, Melania Trump, Mrs Tinubu met with US Special Envoy for Best Future Generations, Charles Harder.

The event drew over 45 First Ladies worldwide to discuss artificial intelligence’s impact on children and adolescents.

“Books cannot be taken out of schools despite technological advancement,” she declared, adding that education is a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“If you want to help people, you must first understand who they really are,” she said. “My husband understands this, just as he did when he was the Governor of Lagos State back in the day. He is trying to sanitise the whole system and have a formidable foundation that can be built upon.”

Mrs Tinubu also previewed an upcoming nationwide child nutrition campaign through her office, set to launch soon.

Harder noted the meeting advanced talks on Nigerian children’s needs. “The Best Future Generations, a brainchild of First Lady Melania Trump, seeks to address issues that affect children the world over, which include food, nutrition, health, protection from all forms of abuse and much more,” he stated.

  He argued that the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Section 76, makes it mandatory for INEC to conduct elections whenever a vacancy occurs in the National Assembly.

“The language of the Constitution is mandatory and leaves no room for avoidable delay where a constituency has become deprived of representation.

“Once vacancy occurs, whether by death, resignation or any other recognised circumstance, the duty to restore representation becomes immediate,” he stated.

Agbo maintained that the continued absence of representation undermines democratic governance and weakens the district’s voice at the national level.

“The people deserve representation. The Constitution demands action. Democracy requires no less,” he added.