Ibrahim Suleiman
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Centre for Girls Education, in collaboration with the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has graduated 120 young girls trained in various vocational and agricultural skills.
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The programme was designed to equip the beneficiaries with practical skills to enhance their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and expand 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 growing challenge of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement and Innovation, Professor Sunusi Aliyu Rafin Daɗi, the Vice-Chancellor said the collaboration demonstrated what could be achieved when organisations combined their 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 any single organisation to tackle alone, stressing the need to pursue education alongside economic empowerment.
He appealed to 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.
The Vice-Chancellor assured that ABU was ready to work with governments and other partners across Northern Nigeria to develop, adapt and scale programmes capable of bringing more children, particularly girls, back to school while equipping them for economic participation.
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He 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 provide out-of-school girls with another opportunity to acquire skills capable of improving 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 to address societal challenges, strengthen food security and promote economic growth.
In her remarks, the Director, Centre for Girls 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 make positive contributions to Nigeria.
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Hajiya Habiba added that the Oasis Initiative supported the Centre for Girls Education in implementing the skills-acquisition programme aimed at providing young girls with economic empowerment and promoting self-reliance.
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.