Hajiya Silifat Sule, Wife of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has partnered Adolescent Girls Initiative for Leadership and Empowerment (AGILE) to improve school enrolment of female children in the state.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure while playing host to the Nasarawa State team of AGILE on Wednesday in Lafia.
Silifat said that she was worried seeing female children of school going age hawking during the period they were supposed to be learning in school.
Sule wife explained that as a mother herself, she would support any efforts geared towards protecting the rights of children especially the girl-child.
She therefore expressed her willingness to provide the AGILE team with the necessary support to ensure that all girls on the streets in the state returned to classrooms.
“Together, we will provide them with facilities needed to make their stay in the school enjoyable and conducive,” she said.
Earlier, Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu-Isoga, Nasarawa State Project Coordinator (PC) of AGILE appreciated the governor’s wife for the reception and accepting to support them to achieve the target of the project.
Aliyu-Isoga noted that the visit was to establish a bond so that the they would identify areas of collaboration with Silifat Sule Hope Foundation which was already doing a lot in supporting the education of women.
“We need your support to address the gender gaps observed in education outcomes and acquisition of skills in the state.
“The project will provide girls with opportunities to enroll in and complete formal schooling as well as second chance education programme.
“Those covered under this project would be paid stipend of N5, 000 every term in addition to sanitary facilities in order to encourage them and make the learning environment conducive for them,” she added.
She explained that AGILE project was an initiative of the Federal Government with support from World Bank and implemented by participating states.
“The project development objectives is to improve secondary education opportunities among adolescent girls in 18 states including Nasarawa State.
“It is to also address the critical binding constraints adolescent girls faced that limit their enrolment, retention and completion rates in secondary schools.
“Some of the constraints includes; lack of access to secondary schools, poor infrastructure, native social norms, low value for girl-child education and poverty among others,” she added.
She further explained that the project would use a comprehensive approach to address these constraints by using the school, family and community platforms to empower adolescent girls. (NAN).