The advocacy teams of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Zamfara State has embarked on advocacy visits to traditional rulers in the state.
The AGILE, a World Bank Intervention Project aimed at reducing Adolescent Out-of-School Girls in the state.
The project is targeting enrollment of thousands out-of-school adolescent girls in the state.
The advocacy teams comprised representatives from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zamfara Social Protection Platform (ZSPP), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Community Based and Religious Organizations among others.
Speaking in Bungudu and Maru Emir’s Palaces, the State NUJ Chairman Ibrahim Musa Maizare said the visit was to seek support from the traditional institutions for the success of the project in the state.
“We are here to seek for your support, as our fathers and custodians of people, you have a greater role to play to ensure the success of this project in our dear state.
“This project is very critical to the future of our children”
Also Speaking in Talata Mafara and Anka emir’s palaces, the State Chairperson Federation of Muslims Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Amina Musa Idris described the project as welcome development to the future of young girls in the state.
“We are proud for this project that have a good missions for our adolescent girls especially their future education,” She noted.
Responding, the Emir of Anka and Chairman, Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad commended the advocacy team for the visit.
The traditional ruler also lauded the effort of State Implementation Unit of AGILE project for doing the needful in reaching out to the stakeholders across the state.
“We are aware of this project, we have been following its activities since its inception.
“As custodians of people we have no any other issue better than development of our people.
“On behalf of the Zamfara Council of Chiefs, we are assuring of support for the success of this project,” The emir explained.
In Gusau and Kaura Namoda emirates, the Chairman Zamfara Social Protection Platform, Malam Nasiru Biyabiki who led the advocacy teams emphasized on the roles of traditional institutions towards the success of the project in the state.
“As traditional rulers, we all know the kind of contributions you have given to the development of education in this state since its creation.
“We are therefore appealing for your continued support and encouragement for this project to succeed.
“This a collaborative responsibility, if all stakeholders worked together, this project will enhance future education of our dear state,” Biyabiki explained.
In their seperate responses, the Emirs of Talata Mafara, Muhammad Barmo, Maru Muhammad Maigari and Bungudu Hassan Attahiru represented by the emirate’s Secretary.promised total support to the project.
The Emirs of Gusau and Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello and Sanusi Ahmad-Asha promised to increase awareness of their people about the project.
Also speaking, the Project Communications Officer, Malam Bashir Kabir Ahmad said the project since inception in the state, the project involved traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to raise public awareness about the programme.
