The Centre for Girls Education, in collaboration with the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has...
The programme was designed to equip the beneficiaries with practical skills to enhance their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and improve their economic opportunities.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Zaria, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, called for stronger partnerships among governments, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to address the challenge of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement and Innovation, Professor Sunusi Aliyu Rafin Dadi, the Vice-Chancellor said the collaboration demonstrated the benefits of combining expertise, facilities and resources to address the educational and economic needs of vulnerable girls.
Professor Ahmed said the challenge of out-of-school children was too large for government or a single organisation to tackle alone, stressing the need to combine education with economic empowerment.
He urged state and local governments, NGOs, development organisations, private-sector players and elected representatives to support similar initiatives that provide vulnerable young people with education and practical skills.
VC also urged the graduands to make effective use of the skills acquired, continue learning, support one another and use their knowledge to create opportunities for others.
Also speaking, the Director, Division of Agricultural Colleges, ABU, Professor Bashir Babaji, said the programme was designed to give out-of-school girls another opportunity by equipping them with skills that could improve their livelihoods.
He said the 120 graduands were trained in different areas of the agricultural value chain, including tomato and goat production, beekeeping, catering and restaurant management.
Professor Babaji called on governments and non-governmental organisations to adopt similar approaches and support initiatives aimed at addressing societal challenges, while contributing to food security and economic growth.
In her remarks, the Director, Centre for Girls Child Education, Hajiya Habiba Muhammad, urged the graduands to share the knowledge and skills acquired with their families and communities.
She appreciated the Division of Agricultural Colleges for supporting the programme and expressed hope that the graduates would become productive members of society and contribute positively to Nigeria's development.
The Director added that the Oasis Initiative supported the Centre for Girls Education in successfully implementing the skills-acquisition training aimed at promoting economic empowerment and self-reliance among young girls.
Some of the graduands expressed appreciation to the Centre for Girls Education for supporting their training and pledged to share the knowledge and skills acquired with members of their communities.
COV/ IBRAHIM SULEIMAN
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