By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, June 24, 2025
The Kogi State Government on Tuesday, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering adolescent girls through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.
The project’s Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Safe Spaces Manual has commenced, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to provide structured psychosocial and life skills education to young girls.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, who officially declared the training open in Lokoja, emphasised the importance of collaboration and commitment to the project’s success.
Jones commended the new leadership of the Kogi AGILE Project, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, for demonstrating visible momentum and commitment to delivering on key mandates.
He also lauded the implementing firm, the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), for conducting itself with commendable professionalism.
The Commissioner urged NISD to approach the training with depth, care, and clarity and encouraged master trainers to “learn, unlearn, and remain professional”.
“This is a defining moment for Kogi State, and it is a call to duty for all stakeholders”, Jones said.
The Commissioner emphasised that the Kogi State Government remained fully invested in the success of AGILE and would continue to provide every necessary support.
Jones reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Ahmed Ododo to prioritising quality education in the state, and promoting girl’s child education.
In his remarks, the Kogi AGILE Project Coordinator, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, described the Safe Spaces Manual as a transformative guide designed to empower adolescent girls, boost their self-esteem, equip them with vital life skills, and protect their mental health.
Oricha commended the Honourable Commissioner for his presence and constant support and thanked the World Bank and NPCU for their partnership.
“We are not only training facilitators, we are planting seeds of confidence, resilience, and leadership in the hearts of our girls,” Oricha said.
On his part, Mr. Abraham Sunday, the Component Lead, World Bank and NPCU, congratulated the Kogi AGILE team for taking ownership and accelerating implementation.
Sunday stressed the importance of fidelity to the training manual, proper engagement with adolescent girls, and maintaining a high standard of professionalism throughout the process.
According to him, the Safe Spaces initiative provides girls with safe, confidential, and nurturing environments to explore their identity and build life skills.
“Safe Spaces initiative is one of the most vital pillars of the AGILE project, providing girls with safe, confidential, and nurturing environments,” Sunday said.
End
