By Bishop Aturu.
The atmosphere was filled with renewed hope and purpose as stakeholders, facilitators, and development partners converged at the Kogi AGILE Project Office today for the commencement of the Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Safe Spaces Manual.
The five-day training, spearheaded under the Life Skills Component of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, marked a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to empowering adolescent girls through structured psychosocial and life skills education.
In a powerful and motivating address, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, officially declared the training open. In his goodwill message, he lauded the new leadership of the Kogi AGILE Project, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, commending him for stepping into a weighty responsibility and immediately setting the ball rolling to deliver on key mandates.
He acknowledged the visible momentum and commitment already demonstrated by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) and applauded the implementing firm, the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), for conducting itself with commendable professionalism.
The Honourable Commissioner expressed heartfelt gratitude to the governor of the State, His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his unwavering support to the education sector. He highlighted the giant strides recorded in education policy implementation, infrastructural expansion through the construction of mega schools across the senatorial districts, and numerous transformative efforts aimed at improving access to quality education. His message was clear: “This is a defining moment for Kogi State, and it is a call to duty for all stakeholders.”
He encouraged NISD to approach the training with depth, care, and clarity, and urged the master trainers to “learn, unlearn, and remain professional in discharging their duties” during the upcoming cascade training.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s full commitment, he emphasized that the Kogi State Government remains fully invested in the success of AGILE and will continue to provide every necessary support.
Speaking shortly after, the Project Coordinator, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, FCNA, in his opening remarks, welcomed participants with heartfelt appreciation and a charge of purpose.
He emphasized that the Safe Spaces Manual is not just another tool, but a transformative guide designed to empower adolescent girls, boost their self-esteem, equip them with vital life skills, and protect their mental health. “We are not only training facilitators,” he said, “we are planting seeds of confidence, resilience, and leadership in the hearts of our girls.”
He commended the Honourable Commissioner for his presence and constant support, and gave special thanks to the World Bank and the National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU) for their continued partnership. “The future of our girls is not something we postpone. It is something we act on now. And with this training, we are doing exactly that,” he concluded, while encouraging the master trainers to approach their role with seriousness and heart.
Representing the World Bank and NPCU, Mr. Abraham Sunday, the Component Lead, gave a robust message of encouragement and guidance. He congratulated the Kogi AGILE team for taking ownership and accelerating implementation. He stressed the importance of fidelity to the training manual, proper engagement with adolescent girls, and maintaining a high standard of professionalism throughout the process.
He further added that the Safe Spaces initiative is one of the most vital pillars of the AGILE project, as it provides girls with safe, confidential, and nurturing environments where they can explore their identity, build life skills, and discuss personal and social issues without fear or judgment.
As the ToT progresses over the next few days, the focus will be on equipping selected master trainers with the knowledge and skills to cascade this training across schools in Kogi State.
