FG Launches AGILE-AF Project
… as Children’s Day celebration, AGILE games grand finale holds
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to quality education, as well as creating safe learning spaces, where every girl can lead and thrive in their respective chosen career.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stated this at the launch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Additional Financing (AF) Project, and the grand finale of the AGILE games, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
The event, which formed part of the activities commemorating Children’s Day celebration, was aimed at highlighting the impact of the project on girls’ education and the significance of ensuring girls are enrolled, retained and complete their secondary education, without any hindrance.
The First Lady congratulated the new states and students of participating states, restating the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in ensuring that every child has access to quality education towards making life better for the citizens.
She acknowledged the support of religious leaders, as well as traditional rulers, teachers and community members, urging the students to remain focused and believe in themselves, adding; “you are all champions, keep learning, keep growing, let us continue to stand united. Go to school, complete your education, never stop believing in what you can achieve,” she admonished.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had acknowledged the First Lady for her continuous supports for education, gender matters, social protection and human capital development.
He said the AGILE Project is one of the most impactful initiatives on girl child education, describing it as transformational in its provision of WASH facilities, to protect health and dignity, provision of safe and conducive learning spaces.
According to the Minister, “every textbook is a building block for peace, every school means an act of justice and every trained teacher a guardian of our shared future.”
It would be recalled that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had in August 2022 paid 150 million naira as counterpart funds for the Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, solidifying his commitment to girls’ education.
For the record, AGILE is a 5-year project of the Federal Ministry of Education, with support from the World Bank, aimed at enhancing secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted areas.
Consequent upon the proactive nature of the current administration, Kwara State is one of the 11 Additional Financing (AF) States benefiting from the project, having fulfilled the World Bank requirements.
Earlier, seven parent states commenced the project and these include; Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Plateau States.
The 11 AF states launched are; Kwara, Kogi, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Adamawa, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe and Nasarawa.
The event was witnessed by the wife of the Vice-president, Hajia Nana Shettima, wives of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Executive Secretary of The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and former Task Team Lead of AGILE project, Aisha Garba, members of the National Assembly, World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiame Diop, Religious and Traditional Leaders (RTLs).
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was represented at the event by the Head, Education Department of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Ebenezer Leo.
Also present was the Kwara AGILE State Project Coordinator (SPC), Mr. Adeshina Salami, alongside other AGILE Project Implementation Units, development partners, relevant stakeholders and students from different schools.
Highlights of the occasion were dance drama, rendition by children and presentation of awards to students who came first in volleyball and basket ball. Other categories include; poetry, short story, entrepreneurship, essay, painting, digital literacy and debate, among others.