The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Zamfara State has organized a one-day advocacy meeting with key education stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.
Speaking at the meeting, the Component Lead for the AGILE CCT in Zamfara, Hajiya Ummu Salma Abubakar, said the cash transfer initiative is designed to support enrolled adolescent girls in completing their education.
According to her, the registration for the Conditional Cash Transfer is entirely free of charge.
“We are not the ones enrolling children into schools, but we identify students who are already enrolled in school to benefit from the programme,” she explained.
Hajiya Ummu Salma emphasized the crucial role of traditional and community leaders in mobilizing adolescent girls who are out of school to ensure, they are enrolled and able to benefit from the programme.
She also highlighted the need for caregivers to ensure that, the beneficiaries meet the required documentation for cash disbursement, including having a valid SIM card, National Identification Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
According to her, without a NIN and BVN, it is impossible to open a bank account for the beneficiary.
Hajiya Ummu Salma further revealed that each validated student enrolled in the programme is entitled to an annual cash transfer of ₦60,000.
She appealed to parents and caregivers across Zamfara State to take advantage of the initiative and ensure their daughters are enrolled in school to benefit from the programme.
She disclosed that while over 17,000 students have been identified for the CCT programme in the state, only about 8,000 have been successfully validated so far.
Also speaking, the AGILE Project Communication Officer, Bashir Ahmad, noted that all the contributions made by stakeholders regarding the AGILE project and related matters have been duly recorded.
He assured that any suggestion capable of adding value to the project would be considered and implemented to achieve the desired objectives.
Alhaji Bashir Ahmad urged all participants not to relent in contributing their quota towards the overall development of education in Zamfara State, for the benefit of future generations.
He added that several initiatives have already been introduced to ensure more adolescent girls are enrolled and retained in schools.
In his remarks, Nura Mohammed Galadiman Furfuri, representative of the District Head of Furfuri, commended the AGILE project for its support in promoting girls’ education.
He also called on AGILE officials to help extend the key messages of the meeting to the state governor, particularly regarding the issue of school feeding.
On his part, Naziru Nagoggo Tsafe, Principal of Government Science Secondary School, Gusau, stated that the policies and strategies embedded in the programme would significantly improve the education of the girl-child.
The meeting was attended by members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), school principals, and other education stakeholders.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
