Kogi AGILE Team Visits Obaro of Kabba for Pre-Sensitization Meeting
In a significant step towards strengthening partnerships for the Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), the project team, led by its Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello, paid a pre-sensitization visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba.
His Majesty also serves as the Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council. The visit was in line with AGILE’s objective to engage key stakeholders across the state and seek collaboration to ensure the success of its mission.
During the visit, the Obaro expressed deep gratitude for the initiative, commending the efforts of former Governor Yahaya Bello for introducing the project to Kogi State, and His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his commitment to ensuring the project thrives.
Oba Solomon Owoniyi underscored the importance of the initiative, particularly in the area of education, and called for more teachers in local government schools, highlighting that many of the existing educators have retired, with some close to retirement.
“We are proud to be part of this transformative project, and I assure you of my total support and that of the entire Okun community. My royal blessings are with AGILE as it embarks on this laudable journey,” the Obaro stated, adding that education is the foundation for sustainable development.
Earlier, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello, in his remarks, thanked the Obaro for accommodating the team on short notice. He acknowledged the Obaro’s dedication to the progress and development of his people, noting that His Majesty has always been a patron of positive change.
“We are fortunate to have such a leader who shares the vision of AGILE, which seeks to provide better educational opportunities for adolescent girls in Kogi State,” said Dr. Bello.
He highlighted the wide-reaching benefits the project will bring to the state’s education sector, including the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, digital literacy programs, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) for adolescent girls, second chance education for out-of-school girls and many more.
Dr. Bello also disclosed that this pre-sensitization visit was just the beginning, as a larger team will return soon for the main sensitization program. “We hope to have all the traditional rulers from other communities in Okun land present for the next phase of the project’s visit,” he said.
The AGILE project, which operates under the Federal Government’s plan to enhance the quality of education for adolescent girls across Nigeria, has been a beacon of hope in Kogi State. The project is focused on key components such as improving access to education, upgrading infrastructure, and providing financial support through Conditional Cash Transfers to encourage school attendance. With traditional rulers, community leaders, and local stakeholders on board, AGILE is well-positioned to make a lasting impact in the state, ensuring that young girls, especially from rural areas, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The visit to the Obaro of Kabba marks a significant milestone in the project’s journey to inclusively sensitize and mobilize community support for its initiatives.
