Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Zamfara State has assured accountability and transparency in the implementation of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme for adolescent schoolgirls.
The State Project Coordinator, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau, gave the assurance while distributing ATM cards to beneficiaries in some secondary schools in Gusau.
Hajiya Sa’adatu, who was accompanied by the project’s Conditional Cash Transfer Officer, Ummu-Salma Abubakar, and other staff, described the programme as a milestone in securing the educational future of adolescent girls in Zamfara State.
During the exercise, ATM cards were distributed to beneficiaries at Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Gada Biyu, and other schools in the presence of parents and guardians.
Addressing the gathering, the Coordinator said the initiative was in line with Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to promoting girls’ education in the state.
Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau disclosed that more than 8,500 adolescent girls are expected to benefit from the programme, receiving ₦60,000 each annually.
“We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability to support our children’s education through the Conditional Cash Transfer programme,” she stated.
Hajiya Sa’adatu explained that the first payment is 40,000 while the remaining ₦20,000 would be paid subsequently.
She emphasized that beneficiaries must maintain at least 70 percent school attendance to continue receiving financial support.
She further noted that the initiative is designed to help adolescent girls complete their secondary education and urged parents and guardians to utilize the support strictly for educational purposes.
“As we all know, educating a woman is like educating the whole society. Therefore, parents and guardians, especially mothers, must ensure that this support is used judiciously,” she said.
The Coordinator also warned against exploitation, urging beneficiaries to report any person or teacher who demands money from them under the programme.
She added that the AGILE office has engaged various stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers, the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, and the media, to monitor and ensure the success of the cash transfer programme across the state.
AMINU DALHATU
