Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens, with a particular focus on women and girls.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, held at the Government House in Lokoja, Governor Ododo described the initiative as a crucial step toward achieving inclusive development.
He emphasized that the AGILE project symbolizes a shared dedication to ensuring that every child—especially the girl-child—has access to safe, quality education. “An educated girl is not only an empowered individual but a catalyst for national development,” he stated.
The Governor noted that the AGILE-CCT initiative goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as a strategic investment in human capital. He explained that the program is designed to boost school enrollment, improve retention, and ease the transition of adolescent girls through different educational levels, ultimately contributing to the state’s broader socio-economic growth.
Highlighting the state’s progress, Governor Ododo noted that Kogi now ranks among states with the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. He credited former Governor Yahaya Bello for securing Kogi’s inclusion in the World Bank-supported AGILE project and expressed appreciation for the foundation laid by the previous administration.
He announced that the current phase of the program will provide a ₦40,000 cash grant to each of the 13,359 adolescent girls in transition classes across the state, with the aim of removing financial barriers to education and enhancing school retention.
Governor Ododo urged beneficiaries to use the grants wisely, describing education as the bedrock of a brighter future. “Empowering the girl-child is synonymous with empowering families, strengthening communities, and advancing our nation,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the State Project Steering Committee, Wemi Jones, commended Governor Ododo’s leadership, which he said continues to attract impactful projects to Kogi State. He encouraged schoolgirls to maintain regular attendance and advised parents to play active roles in their children’s education.
Also speaking, the AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Tijani Oricha, stated that the initiative is focused on eliminating both financial and socio-cultural barriers to girls’ education. He explained that the second cohort of the CCT is currently underway, with eligibility tied to a minimum of 75 percent school attendance.
Representing traditional rulers, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, pledged the support of traditional institutions to the state’s girl-child empowerment agenda. He described girls as the future of the nation and called for sustained efforts to ensure their growth and success.
Speaking on behalf of the over 30,000 beneficiaries, Fatima Zahara Salawudeen of the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (MARKAZ) expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ododo and other stakeholders. She praised the administration’s support for free education across the state’s 21 local government areas and lauded the counterpart funding under the AGILE project as evidence of the government’s commitment to building a better future for girls.
By targeting adolescent girls at critical stages of their education, the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme reflects the Ododo administration’s inclusive approach to social investment and its vision of a more equitable and prosperous Kogi State.
