Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
The AGILE (Access to Government through Innovation, Leadership, and Empowerment) Project in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Education has on Friday trained 75 facilitators on social norms, gender-based violence (GBV) issues, and referral processes.
Through collaborative projects like AGILE, the Sokoto State Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing social issues through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
The facilitators are drawn from 11 out of the 23 local government areas, including representatives from Binji, Tangaza, Illela, Bodinga, Wamakko, Dange, Shagari, Kware, Gwadabawa, Sokoto South, and Sokoto North.
The two-day training at Soul Care Hotel in Sokoto, aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively educate their communities on various forms of GBV, the social norms that perpetuate it, and prevention strategies.
In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmed Lawal Ala, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting the education of the girl child.
Professor Ala, who was represented by the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Abubakar Umar Salame, commended AGILE for complementing the state government’s efforts.
He highlighted key initiatives, including the renovation of schools, the timely payment of cash allocations to principals, and several other reforms aimed at improving the education sector.
The Deputy Project Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Garba Gobir, delivered the welcome address, urging participants to fully engage in the training.
He emphasized the importance of acquiring and disseminating knowledge on GBV and harmful social norms within their respective communities.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by prominent figures such as Sarkin Yakin Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, and the Executive Secretary of the Teachers’ Service Board, Aishatu Nasiru Zarummai.
The Director of Women’s Affairs at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Hauwa Umar Jabo, also emphasized the significance of the initiative.
The AGILE is a World Bank-assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education geared at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20.
