KEBBI: About 70,000 Girls Child Benefits from AGILE Cash Incentive

Kebbi AGILE Commences Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Advocacy Sensitization

The Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Kebbi state project implementation unit has commenced a 4-day advocacy strategic sensitization on Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in Kebbi State.

The governor’s wife and Honourable Commissioner, Kebbi State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Bande, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education Alhaji Abubakar Magaji Nayelwa, expressed delight over the programme which he described as way to increase girl child enrolment in secondary Schools across the State. 

According to him, AGILE was designed to empower adolescent girls across the state to acquire knowledge and skills that would enable them function as useful citizens in the society.

The first lady charged the beneficiaries to pay attention to their academic activities. She also charged the caregivers to monitor their children's learning activities so as to lead them to further successes including reaching up to high levels.

Earlier in his address, the AGILE programme Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammed Birnin Kebbi welcomed the gathering and expressed happiness over what he called the enabling environment created by the Kebbi state government for the success of the project.

 The coordinator while giving an overview of the programme stated that AGILE is deeply concerned about the wellbeing and future of girl children in the state in terms of   attainment of knowledge and skills building. Adding that the programme covers the 21 local government areas of the state with 7,509 beneficiaries in cohort 1, 10,024 beneficiaries in cohort 2, 22,453 beneficiaries in cohort 3 and 21,209 beneficiaries in cohort 4.

Speaking at the event, the CCT National Lead Dr. Khadijatul Kubra Muhammad urged the caregivers to possess National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) in order to simplify the CCT processes in the state.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Prof. Khalid Muhammad commended AGILE for its complimentary role in the state educational sector. 

He disclosed that the issue of girl child education is a collective responsibility so as to drastically reduce the number of Out of School Children (OOSC) particularly girls in the state.

Prof. Khalid described education as a right and applauded the Kauran Gwandu administration for giving priority attention to education.

 The chairman therefore charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the programme for them to acquire the needed knowledge and skills as avenues of self-actualization and contribution to nation building. 

He expressed delight over the AGILE attainments in the state and assured the project of continued government support.

Other dignitaries who spoke at the occasion included the Chairman House Committee on Education who was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, representative of Magajin Bunga (Alhaji Idris Umar), Zonal Education Officers, Directors from various Ministries, Kebbi State CCT Lead (Aliyu Muhammad Sabi), AGILE staff and AGILE deputy project coordinator Mrs. Felicia V. Ango. 

They all commended the state government for its good efforts in the educational sector and the role played by AGILE in assisting adolescent girls in Kebbi State.