Lokoja, Nigeria – Bello Abdulhakeem, the coordinator of the AGILE project in Kogi, has called for stronger stakeholder engagement in promoting secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in the state. He made this appeal during a sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement programme held on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Mr Abdulhakeem highlighted that AGILE, a World Bank-assisted initiative under the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to improve access to secondary education for girls aged 10 to 20. He emphasized that the project would foster an enabling environment by encouraging social and behavioural change, equipping girls with essential life skills, and providing financial incentives and scholarships for those in public secondary schools.

He underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement in addressing challenges facing girls’ education across Kogi State. According to him, the sensitisation programme serves as a crucial platform for stakeholders to collaborate and find sustainable solutions to these challenges.

Mr Abdulhakeem urged stakeholders to remain actively involved, engage with schools in their communities, and provide necessary feedback to AGILE for continuous improvement.

In his remarks, Kogi AGILE’s spokesman, Bishop Aturu, stressed the need for accurate and reliable data collection to enhance effective planning and ensure smooth implementation of the project.

Stakeholders at the event commended the AGILE initiative and praised the efforts of the coordinator and his team in fostering inclusive participation. They emphasized the need for continuous teacher training and motivation to improve the quality of education delivery.

Representing persons with disabilities, Ibrahim Arome, the immediate past chairman of the Kogi Board of Disability, lauded AGILE for prioritising inclusivity in its approach. He advocated for the establishment of a dedicated school for the deaf and dumb in the state and the construction of accessible infrastructure to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The event saw participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from NGOs, religious and traditional institutions, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), media organisations, government agencies, and women’s groups. Their collective commitment to advancing girls’ education was evident as they deliberated on strategies to enhance learning opportunities for young girls in Kogi State.