Kogi AGILE Team Secures Support from LG Chairmen in Advocacy Meeting with ALGON

By Bishop Aturu.

In a significant move to strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure the successful implementation of the Kogi Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, the state AGILE team, led by the State Coordinator, held an advocacy and sensitization meeting with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi State Chapter.

The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders from various local government areas, was aimed at garnering support and buy-in from the Local Government Chairmen for the effective rollout of the AGILE program across the state.

Hon. Olokun Tosin, the Chairman of ALGON and the Executive Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, led the delegation of local government chairmen at the meeting.

In his remarks, Hon. Tosin commended the AGILE team for their commitment to improving educational opportunities for adolescent girls in the state. He expressed ALGON’s unwavering support for the initiative and assured the AGILE team of the readiness of all 21 local government chairmen to drive awareness and sensitization efforts within their respective communities.

“We recognize the importance of this project in transforming the lives of adolescent girls in Kogi State. As local government leaders, we are fully committed to supporting AGILE and ensuring that all necessary sensitization and mobilization are carried out at the grassroots level. Each chairman will take responsibility for sensitizing their local government areas to secure total cooperation from community members,” Hon. Tosin stated.

The AGILE team, in their presentations, emphasized the project’s core objectives, which include improving access to quality education for adolescent girls, providing infrastructure for conducive learning environments, and addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder girls’ education. The team highlighted the critical role of local government authorities in ensuring that the program reaches its target beneficiaries effectively.

During the interactive session, the Local Government Chairmen commended the initiative and pledged to work closely with the AGILE team in executing community-driven sensitization programs. They acknowledged the challenges faced by adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas, and vowed to use their platforms to advocate for education and gender equality.

With ALGON’s commitment secured, the AGILE team is set to embark on widespread grassroots advocacy campaigns, leveraging the influence of the local government chairmen to drive enrollment, retention, and overall success of the project. The collaboration is expected to significantly boost awareness and encourage community participation in promoting the education and empowerment of adolescent girls across Kogi State.

The meeting marks a major milestone in the AGILE project’s implementation, reinforcing the collective effort of the state government, local authorities, and community leaders in advancing education and empowerment initiatives for girls in Kogi State.