Kogi Govt. Urges Greater Investment in Girl-Child Education to Build Future Leaders
As the world marks the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Kogi State Government has renewed its call for increased investment in girl-child education to empower young girls to respond to challenges with strength, innovation, and leadership.
Speaking at an event in Lokoja to commemorate the day, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead,” the State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, described girls as “not passive beneficiaries of change, but the very drivers of it.”
“Girls are not waiting for change to happen; they are the change themselves,” Oricha said. “They hold the power, ideas, and courage to shape a brighter and fairer future for everyone.”
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He noted that teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of the girl child and reaffirmed AGILE’s commitment to ensuring that girls across Kogi State learn in a safe, conducive environment.
“Education equips girls to respond, rebuild, and lead change,” he emphasized. “Through the AGILE project, we are not just providing access to education; we are unlocking potential — nurturing girls to become problem-solvers, innovators, and nation builders.”
Oricha added that when a girl is educated, she gains the ability to rebuild her life, uplift her family, and strengthen her community during crises.
“An educated girl is a force for transformation,” he said. “She can inspire others, break stereotypes, and drive progress wherever she finds herself.”
Highlighting the ongoing efforts of the AGILE initiative in Kogi, Oricha stated that the program is committed to ensuring no girl is left behind.
“We are improving learning facilities, promoting digital and life skills, and engaging communities to sustain girls’ education,” he explained. “This is how we prepare our girls not just to dream, but to lead.”
He also delivered a strong message to young girls in the state:
“Believe in yourself. Your voice matters, your dreams are valid, and your future is now. You are not the leaders of tomorrow you are the leaders of today. Stand tall, speak up, and use your education as a tool to transform your world.”
During a panel discussion, speakers underscored the importance of giving girls equal opportunities in the digital era. They urged parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to work collectively to eliminate child marriage, describing it as a major obstacle to the education and empowerment of the girl child.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, civil society organizations, traditional and religious institutions, and other advocacy groups, all united in the campaign to keep every girl in school and secure a brighter future for them.
