By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has commended the World Bank – assisted Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project for its robust efforts in boosting girl-child education in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, conveyed the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja at an event to mark the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, which was organised by Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the AGILE project.
Sununu assured the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the problem of out-of-school children through its eight-point agenda.
“Education is a top priority of the eight-point agenda, and education has many thematic areas. One of the thematic areas is returning children back to school especially the girl-child. The 10 million, 600, 000 children (10.6 million) roaming about is unacceptable, ” Sununu said.
The minister, who expressed the need to ensure that the girl-child is empowered with relevant skills and the ability to take part in decision making, said the achievements of the AGILE project, with beneficiaries hitting over 3 million across seven states, deserved special commendation.
The Kebbi State -born minister said the project had initiated skills and digital literacy training for 6,000 girls, while 90,298 girls had received financial incentives (scholarships) to help them stay in school.
In addition, he said, 199,921 girls had received scholarships in the first seven implementing states, adding that “we are fully aware of the many challenges that girls face throughout history. Discrimination, violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and unequal opportunities have marred their path.
“However, it is essential to acknowledge that girls have continually displayed resilience, determination and the capacity to overcome adversity.
“In the Nigerian context, our government has undertaken significant policy initiatives aimed at addressing the specific challenges faced by the Nigerian girl-child.
“One noteworthy achievement is the substantial increase in girls’ enrollment and retention in schools with initiatives like the AGILE, which has reached millions of girls across the country, providing education and life skills.”
Also speaking, Andrew Adejo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, stressed the need for government to evolve stern measures to protect the rights of the girl-child.
In a remark, Education Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, Abuja Office, Mikailu Ibrahim, reiterated the ccommitmentof the British government to partner the country in pushing for girls’ rights.
Ibrahim called on the Federal Government to increase funding for education, while also ensuring that money allocated to education were judiciously utilised.
He said the country must focus on foundation learning and ensure safe and protected environment.
On his part, Dr Quentin Wodon, the Director, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Institute for Capacity Building in Nigeria (UNESCO-IICBA), said investment in girls’ education is the best investment any society can make.
Wodon canvassed for the recruitment of more women as teachers, principals and mentors to ensure the rights of the girl-child.
Also speaking, representative of the World Bank, Aisha Garba, said the organisation had partnered the Federal Government to achieve the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.
Garba expressed the readiness of the world’s body to continue to work with the Nigerian government to ensure t children received resources and learning aids for their education.
The AUTHORITY reports that the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated every year on October 11 to promote the rights of girls.
The 2023 edition has its theme as “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership and Well Being.”
