Kogi Education Commissioner Reaffirms Commitment to Girl-Child Education, Commends Students for Academic Excellence
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, has reaffirmed the commitment of the state government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to supporting the education and empowerment of the girl child through the AGILE Project.
Hon. Wemi Jones made these remarks at the ongoing International Girl Child Day which took place at GYB Model Science Secondary School Adankolo, Lokoja Kogi State.
Speaking to students during an engagement with participating schools, the Commissioner shared a personal experience about the special bond he shares with his daughter, describing her as a masterpiece given to him by God.
He recounted how, despite the demanding nature of his banking career in Lagos, his daughter would patiently wait for him to return home and ensure that he was served his meal before attending to herself, even at a very tender age. According to him, the experience created a lasting bond between them and strengthened his love and commitment to the girl child.
The Commissioner explained that the same affection and concern he has for his biological daughter extend to every girl child, adding that this personal conviction continues to inspire his commitment to initiatives that promote girls’ education, learning and empowerment.
He noted that the Kogi State Government is providing the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, alongside the efforts of the Ministry of Education.
Hon. Jones emphasised that girls are the primary beneficiaries of the AGILE Project, stressing the importance of ensuring that they receive the educational opportunities, support and empowerment they deserve.
The Commissioner also reiterated the government’s commitment to funding exit examinations for students in public schools, explaining that the initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on parents and provide students with better opportunities to complete their education.
He recalled that the announcement of government intervention in the funding of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations for public-school students was made at the same school premises and assured the students that the initiative would be sustained.
Furthermore, the Commissioner commended students, particularly those from GYB Model Science Secondary School, for their impressive performances in debate and quiz competitions. He encouraged them to sustain their academic excellence while challenging other participating schools to strive for greater achievements.
He urged students from GYB School, Amide, Plaza and other secondary schools to embrace healthy academic competition, noting that excellence should inspire continuous improvement rather than complacency.
According to him, healthy competition among schools will strengthen academic standards and position Kogi State as a leading centre of educational excellence in Nigeria.
Hon. Jones concluded by encouraging the students to remain focused on their studies, take advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the government and continue to strive for excellence.
He expressed appreciation to the students for their attention and wished them success in their academic pursuits, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to building a brighter future through quality education and the empowerment of the girl child.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 16th, 2026


