Kwara State government has emphasised the importance of empowering adolescent girls and young women with relevant skills to lift them and help them become economically independent, contribute meaningfully to society, and break the cycle of poverty.
The coordinator of Kwara State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Mr. Adeshina Salami, stated this during a sensitisation programme on "second chance education" held in Amoyo, Ifelodun local government area of the state.
He added:" This second chance education we are discussing is a sub-component of the project that focuses on empowering girls and young women aged 15-25 who have dropped out of school or could not access secondary education.
"They will obtain forms and register with AGILE in the 20 vocational, literacy and numeracy centres we are using, under the leadership of the Agency for Mass Education (AME).
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"We urge the community to join us in ensuring that eligible girls and young women who fit this criteria are enrolled in these centres.
This helps to guarantee that no girl is left behind and that every dream is supported."
The Alamoyo of Amoyo, Oba Jamiu Oyebola, praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving girls and young women the opportunity to be empowered.
Earlier, the project's "Second Chance" officer, Mrs Omolola Ayanshola, noted that the project aimed to empower young girls and women and support them in being their best selves.
She acknowledged the support from the Agency for Mass Education and expressed optimism that the State will excel under the second chance education sub-component of the AGILE project.
She also noted that more centres would be opened as the programme progresses to facilitate accessibility for those interested in enrolling and attending classes.
In her remarks, the chief executive officer of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOWHOC), Dr. Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, said that all hands are on deck to ensure the programme's success.
She added that classes have already started, calling for more enrollment.
She added that at least 60 girls and young women are expected to enrol in each centre, explaining that the facilitators are well-trained and committed to the project's success.
The team also took the sensitisation and enrolment message to Ogbondoroko and Reke in the Asa local government area, where the special adviser on Community and Social Mobilisation to the LGA chairman, Yusuf Adekunle, thanked the governor for the project and assured the community of its maximum support.
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The sensitisation was also conducted at Baboko Secondary School in Ilorin West LGA, with community members from Baboko, Oko Olowo, Adana, and Ogidi present.
Representatives from Ilorin East and Ilorin South LGAs also promised to support the second chance education component positively and commended the Governor for the project.
