By Rabi Garba Gombe.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Gombe State, in partnership with Access Initiative Africa and Nudge Initiative, joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child under the theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front Line of Crisis.”
Speaking at the event in Gombe, the wife of the state governor, Dr Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, commended the state government’s efforts in ensuring that every girl child has access to quality education.
She said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has continued to make education particularly that of the girl child a top priority, leading to a remarkable rise in school enrolment across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, identified poverty and discrimination as major obstacles to girls’ education.
She, however, assured that the ministry is developing policies to address these challenges and promote equal learning opportunities for all children.
Dr Maigari also lauded Governor Yahaya for his continued support of the AGILE Project in advancing girl-child education.
The Project Coordinator, Dr Amina Haruna Abdul, said the celebration was aimed at recognising the resilience, courage, and leadership of girls who continue to thrive despite facing poverty, conflict, and gender-based violence.
She appreciated the support of the First Lady and the Ministry of Education for their contributions toward empowering girls in the state.
Also speaking, the Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Barr Rukayyatu Jalo, urged girls to remain committed to their studies, describing education as the most powerful tool for empowerment and national development.
Some participating schoolgirls expressed joy and gratitude to AGILE and its partners for organising the event and to the United Nations for dedicating a day to celebrate girls worldwide.
The colourful celebration featured debates, poetry recitations, displays, and art exhibitions by students from various schools across the state.
