The Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Kogi State, joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, bringing together girls from various public schools across the state in a symbolic road walk that began at the Kogi State Government House before ending at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) secretariat in Lokoja.
The event which featured speeches, and panel discussions, highlighted the position of the Kogi state government on empowering girls through education and leadership opportunities in line with this year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead.”
Speaking during the event, the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, reaffirmed the support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo towards ensuring that girls across the state have access to quality education in safe learning environments.
He described this year’s theme as a reminder that girls are not just beneficiaries of development, but active participants in shaping their communities.
“This year’s theme, ‘The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead,’ aligns perfectly with AGILE’s mission to raise a generation of problem solvers, leaders, and change makers; When you empower and entrust women with resources, they manage them better and create lasting impact in their communities,” he maintained.
He listed the seven components of AGILE project including the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative that supports vulnerable households to keep girls in school noting that distribution of ATM cards are ongoing across schools and communities to help girls stay in school provided they get the 70% attendance, they are entitled to a stipend of 40,000 naira.
The World Bank supported project, implemented by the Kogi State Government, aims to improve access to quality education and create a safe learning environment for adolescent girls, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the modern world.
The AGILE state coordinator also disclosed that the next phase of the project would include school renovations, digital learning infrastructure, and skill development programmes, with strong backing and support from the state government.
Representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Amin Hajarat commended AGILE’s efforts in complementing government policies on education and child protection.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enforcing the Child Rights Law, counseling families, and advocating for continuous girl-child education.
In his remarks on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Ohiogba of Mozum , His Royal Highness Khalid Bukar II expressed delight over the large turnout of young girls, describing them as “symbols of leadership and hope.”
He pledged the sustained support of royal fathers in promoting girl-child education and fostering community awareness on the value of educating girls.
Civil society representatives at the event emphasized the need to continue advocacy for quality education and leadership inclusion for girls.
They noted that empowering adolescent girls remains a key step toward breaking intergenerational poverty and building inclusive societies.
Religious leaders and school principals also joined in reaffirming their support, encouraged girls to remain in school and take advantage of opportunities provided by AGILE and the state government.
For the girls at the event, the occasion was both inspiring and motivating. Chisom’s Goodnews, a student of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja, described the celebration as “a moment of awakening.”
“Hearing the leaders talk about what we can become gives me more confidence to chase my dreams, I have learnt that being a girl is not a limitation, it’s a strength,” she said.
The event ended with renewed commitment from all stakeholders government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society groups, the media, and development partners to continue supporting the education, empowerment, and leadership of girls across Kogi State.
