Lokoja: Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhance schoolgirl enrolment and retention through a cash transfer scheme in the state. Ododo gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the AGILE project aims to enhance school enrolment, retention, and transition for adolescent girls, enabling them to contribute to the broader social and economic development of Kogi. Ododo described the AGILE project as a symbol of dedication to ensuring that every child, especially the girl-child, has access to safe and quality education. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to uplifting the lives and means of livelihoods of citizens, particularly women and girls.
The governor emphasized that an educated girl is not only an empowered individual but also a catalyst for national development. He highlighted that the AGILE-CCT represents more than financial support; it is a long-term investment in human capital development. Empowering the girl-child is seen as synonymous with empowering families, strengthening communities, and advancing the nation. The project will provide a cash grant of N40,000 each to 13,359 adolescent girls in transition classes across the state.
The governor noted that Kogi currently ranks among states with the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. He expressed gratitude to former Gov. Yahaya Bello for securing Kogi’s inclusion in the AGILE project through the World Bank. Ododo urged the beneficiaries to make responsible use of the grants as a foundation for a better future.
In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, commended the governor’s leadership and prioritization of education in the state. Jones admonished schoolgirls to attend school regularly and advised parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education.
Earlier, the AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Oricha, emphasized the project’s goal of dismantling financial and sociocultural barriers preventing adolescent girls from going to school. Oricha noted that the second cohort of the CCT was in progress and every girl-child with 75 percent attendance in school would be eligible for selection.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, pledged support from traditional institutions for the girl-child development agenda. The royal father stressed the importance of sustained efforts in ensuring girls’ growth and empowerment.
A beneficiary, Fatima Salawudeen, expressed gratitude to the governor and stakeholders for the opportunity. Salawudeen commended the governor and his administration’s commitment to free education and counterpart funding under the AGILE project.
