Olu Samuel
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and Traditional rulers in Kogi State, have pledged their total support towards seamless implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state.
AGILE is a World Bank-supported initiative implemented by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, which seeks to improve Secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in 18 participating states, including Kogi State.
The ALGON and the traditional rulers gave the assurance when the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of AGILE led by its Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello., paid separate advocacy and sensitization visits to them on Monday.
The ALGON Chairman, Hon. Tosin Olokun, who doubles as the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, commended the AGILE team for their commitment to improving educational opportunities for adolescent girls in the state.
He expressed ALGON’s unwavering support for the initiative and assured of the readiness of all 21 local government chairmen to drive awareness and sensitization efforts within their respective communities, towards transforming the lives of adolescent girls in Kogi State.
“We recognize the importance of this project in transforming the lives of adolescent girls in Kogi State. As local government leaders, we are fully committed to supporting AGILE and ensuring that all necessary sensitization and mobilization are carried out at the grassroots level.
“Each chairman will take responsibility for sensitizing their local government areas to secure total cooperation from community members,” Olokun stated.
During the interactive session, on Monday in Lokoja, the chairmen in their various comments, commended the initiative and pledged to work closely with the AGILE team in executing community-driven sensitization programs.
They acknowledged the challenges faced by adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas, and vowed to use their platforms to advocate for education and gender equality.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello., solicited the support of all the local government chairmen for the AGILE project implementation towards girls’ education and empowerment in the state.
Dr. Bello noted that the core objective of AGILE project is aimed to break the cycle of poverty, promote gender equality, and unlock girls full potential.
He stressed that it would improve access to quality education for adolescent girls, providing infrastructure for conducive learning environments, and addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder girls’ education.
Dr. Bello highlighted the critical role of local government authorities in ensuring that the program reaches its target beneficiaries effectively.
The AGILE team also visited the palaces of Obaro of Kabba HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi; the Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, HRM Alh. Saidu Akawu Salihu; and the Maigari of Lokoja, Alh. Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, to seek the support of traditional institution for the project.
Speaking at their various palaces, the AGILE state coordinator emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions in supporting sensitization efforts and community mobilization.
Bello reaffirmed commitment to continuing dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges and ensure the seamless execution of the AGILE project across Kogi State.
In their various responses, the royal fathers commended the initiative, describing it as a much-needed intervention for Kogi State, and expressed their total support for the project implementation in Kogi.
However, the Obaro of Kabba, expressed concerns about the shortage of teachers across the senatorial districts, stressing that the success of the AGILE project hinges on addressing the lack of qualified educators in schools.
Oba Owoniyi urged the government and implementing agencies to ensure that only competent contractors were engaged for the construction and rehabilitation of school facilities.
The royal father warned that substandard work could undermine the project’s long-term impact.
The Obaro promised to use his influence to sensitize communities as well as the full support of Okun traditional council towards the successful implementation of the AGILE project in the state
The team formally appointed the paramount ruler as the Kogi AGILE Ambassador, recognizing his role in championing education and development in the region.
The team also visited the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp, to seek the buy-in of the AGILE project from the camp management and serving corps members who will be deployed to government-owned public schools in the state.
It would be recalled that the AGILE team had on Thursday paid advocacy visit to Kogi State House of Assembly, aimed to strengthen collaboration and seek legislative interventions to promote and sustain adolescent girls’ education in Kogi State.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, promised members’ commitment to legislative backing, policy formulation, and resource allocation to boost girls’ education and empowerment towards ensuring the project’s success in the state.
Yusuf commended AGILE for the initiative and emphasized that investing in girls’ education was key to the state’s socio-economic development.
“We recognize the transformative impact of educating the girl child. This Assembly is fully committed to providing legislative backing to policies that will ensure the success of AGILE in Kogi State,” Yusuf said.
The advocacy visits to the royal fathers, ALGON, legislators and other stakeholders emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement and proper implementation to eliminating barriers preventing girls from completing secondary education.