By Precious Oham
Stakeholders in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Thursday, lauded the ongoing projects executed by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE, in the area.
Speaking with journalists in Ise-Ekiti, at a one-day Town Hall meeting with key stakeholders in Adolescent Education, they commended AGILE for their intervention projects which has changed the face of secondary education in the LGA.
The Executive Chairman of Ise/Orun LGA, Hon. Ayodele Akinluyi, said the programme has changed the environmental conditions of secondary schools in the LGA which has made it conducive for learning.
He said: “The programme has changed the environmental conditions of our secondary schools in Ise/Orun LGA. Some of our dilapidated buildings have been rehabilitated and renovated. The school environments are now clean for sound learning.
“We equally thank God for having the programme to enlighten our adolescent girls to know their right in the country and to embrace our boys into the programme. We really appreciate the state governor for executing and admiring this kind of programme.”
On her part, the Eyesorun of Ise-Ekiti, Olori Mary Ajayi, believes that the project will encourage the girl-child to actively go to school while calling on the girl-child to embrace formal education and not relegate themselves as second class citizens.
Olori Ajayi said: “I count the project as a blessing to us in Ekiti and for the girl-child, by recognising the importance of the girl-child in the family because before they have been neglected to the background. Thank God for a programme like this where their voice will be heard and be listened to.
“This is not a period where they should believe that they are second class citizens. There is nothing a man can do that a woman can’t do better. They should brace up and make their future bright and be responsible for what they have in future.”
In the same vein, the Area Education Officer in Ise-Orun LGA, Mrs Comfort Oluyede urged stakeholders in the local government to encourage their children to be in school noting that the AGILE project has served as an eye-opener to all and sundry irrespective of religion, culture or status in the society.
Her words: “It is an eye opener because in the past, we don’t have this opportunity but this time around its a laudable programme which means that regardless of religion, culture or status you can still train your children, you can still educate them especially the girl-child.
“This is an opportunity for those in this LGA to key into the programme because its an opportunity to increase the number of students in the local government.
“Since all the stakeholders have been sensitized, I believe they will go back to their communities to sensitize all those that are concerned to bring more of their children to school so that they will benefit this programme to the fullest.”
The programme witnessed sensitization sessions by various AGILE Resource Speakers on Life Skills, Digital Skills, Gender Based Violence, Grievances Redress Mechanism among others.
Stakeholders at the event including, students, artisans, business women and men; market women, youths, students, principals of secondary schools, traditional and religious leaders.