Gov Yahaya approves release of N150m for World Bank Project in Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has approved the release of N150m seed money being part of the State Government commitment to take part in the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, Project under the Additional Financing phase.
According to a press statement signed on Sunday by Communication Officer AGILE AF Project, Gombe Saidu Malala, the Project which was the initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is supported by the World Bank to address issues of Adolescent Girls in public schools.
“The 150 million naira is the seed money that will serve as commitment for Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment,” Malala said.
Meanwhile, the governor constituted the State Project Implementation Unit with a season academic, Dr Amina Abdul, as the Project Coordinator and other professionals from the line Ministries in line with the Bank procedures for the smooth implementation of the project in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the AGILE initiative started with seven pilot states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, kebbi, Ekiti, Plateau and Borno States, on the expression of interest by Governor Yahaya for the state to benefit from the project, the World Bank approved the participation of the state alongside 11 additional states bringing the total to 18 states in the country.
Malala added, “Part of the strategies to address issues of adolescent girls in the benefiting States were three Components which includes Creating safe and accessible learning space, Fostering an enabling environment for girls , empowering adolescent girls with live skills for a better future and the Project management and strengthening.
“These components and other subcomponents are indeed in tandem with the policies and programs of Governor Yahaya-led administration in the education sector which since inception gave priority attention to the educational system from the basic to the tertiary levels and his passion for a better life for the girl child
“The AGILE Project which is a five-year project is expected to complement the state government efforts in the areas of infrastructure development in schools,increased enrollments, retention and completion of secondary school by the girl child. It will also give opportunity to out of school adolescent girls to have a second chance to obtain secondary education. The project will provide girls scholarship and conditional cash transfer to the poorest students, communities and households in the state in pursuance of its mission.
“Successful implementation of the project will no doubt improve and address significantly issues revolving around adolescent girls and out of school youth in the state.”
