The Sokoto State government has flagged off the Adolescent Girl’s Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme in the State.
Towards making the programme a reality, the state government has disbursed N200,000 each as imprest to 330 school principals, amounting to N66 million.
The state governor , Ahmad Aliyu, also inaugurated the disbursement of improvement grants to 240 schools in the state.
Gov. Aliyu described the AGILE Project as a critical component of the broader agenda to improve educational outcomes in the state.
He said his administration would focus on empowering adolescent girls through enhanced access to education, life skills training, and financial support.
According to him, the project would address some of the most pressing challenges facing the society, with a view to bolstering the educational development of the state.
“We know that when we educate a girl-child, we empower not only her but her entire family, her community, and ultimately, our state and nation.”
Gov. Aliyu said the disbursement of the school improvement grants to the 240 secondary schools is designed to improve the learning environment for students as
the funds would be used to rehabilitate schools’ infrastructures and provide ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)’ facilities and other essential learning materials.
He said the funds would also ensure that schools across the state are safe and conducive for effective teaching and learning.
The governor charged the principals and Schools’-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) of the benefiting schools, to utilize the funds transparently and judiciously.
He warned that “every Naira should be accounted for, and every project must meet the highest standard of quality as required”.
While commending the teachers for their dedication and sacrifices, Gov Aliyu restated his administration’s commitment to supporting them through capacity-building programmes, improved welfare, and the provision of modern
teaching tools.
He reminded the young girls, who are beneficiaries of the AGILE program, that their education is not only a right but also a pathway to a brighter future.
Gov. Aliyu said his administration has re-introduced the School Feeding Programme, covering 23 boarding schools, with a population of 17,367 students.
He disclosed that the programme is gulping a whopping ₦680.8 million annually.
In addition, he said the government has procured and distributed sporting facilities in all public schools across the state as well as the payment of external examination fees for final year students irrespective of their state, tribal or religious affiliations.
According to.him, the state government has constructed 147 classrooms and renovated 142 others, provided 208 VIP toilets, school fencing, and boreholes.
This is in addition to the employment of 2,000 teachers who were deployed to teach at Secondary and Nomadic Schools across the state and the award of contracts for the renovation of several primary and secondary schools.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
