AGILE to construct 64 classrooms across 21 LGAs in Adamawa

By Yagana Ali Yola.

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment – Additional Funding (AGILE-AF) has announced its commitment to building 64 classrooms across all 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State. 

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the initiative was aimed at improving access to quality education for adolescent girls aged 13-19, and providing them with safe learning spaces, reducing school dropout rates among girls in the state.

This bold move was announced by, Sofeme Jebson, the lead implementer of the Safe Spaces component of the AGILE-AF during a One-Day stakeholders meeting in Yola, Adamawa state.

The announcement was made during a one-day workshop under the theme, “Life Skills Empowerment Through Safe Spaces” organized by AGILE-AF in collaboration with the Adamawa State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development. 

The event highlighted the urgent need to create conducive environments for learning and empowerment of girls through life skills education.

Speaking at the event, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Garba Umar Pella, represented by Aisha Umar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the initiative as timely. “Safe spaces are critical for creating successful learning environments and improving student performance, aligns with our commitment to prioritizing education for all,” Umar stated.

The Commissioner commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his unwavering dedication to education, noting that the state has invested over ₦7 billion in external examinations and provided scholarships for 50 students to study in China.

In his goodwill message, Siddiki Liman, the Project Coordinator for AGILE-AF, emphasized the initiative’s focus on addressing barriers to education, such as poverty and child marriage, that often force girls out of school.

“Our mission is to create safe and accessible learning spaces for adolescent girls, ensuring that those who have dropped out are re-enrolled in school. To further support them, financial incentives will be provided each term as motivation,” Liman said.

The initiative will also offer digital literacy and skills training to empower girls with tools for a brighter future.

 Liman urged school principals and stakeholders at the event to submit their school account details to facilitate the project, ensuring no community misses out on this life-changing opportunity.

AGILE-AF is committed to fostering an enabling environment for girls, enhancing project management, and strengthening the education system in Adamawa State.

 This initiative is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the lives of adolescent girls, providing them with the education and skills they need to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The AGILE initiative calls on stakeholders, community leaders, and school administrators to support the project by mobilizing efforts to identify and enroll out-of-school girls and ensure smooth project implementation. 

Together, we can create a future where every girl has access to quality education and the opportunity to excel.

Various speakers at the event call for the inclusion of Gender-Based Violence indicators and awareness in the education plan of the girls, a basic health awareness training and climate change consciousness in the curriculum design for the AGILE-AF.