AGILE Distributes Nearly 10,000 ATM Cards to Gombe Girls Under Scholarship Scheme
From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Gombe State has distributed 9,894 ATM cards to beneficiaries across eight local government areas as part of efforts to enhance financial access and support the education of adolescent girls.
A statement signed by Saidu Bappa Malala, Communication Officer, AGILE Project Gombe State said the benefiting local government areas include Akko, Gombe, Dukku, Kaltungo, Balanga, Kwami, Billiri, and Shongom.
According to statement the remaining areas are Nafada, Funakaye, and Yamaltu Deba which are expected to receive 2,207 cards, bringing the total beneficiaries in the first phase to 12,101 girls.
Adding that many of the beneficiaries have already begun accessing their scholarship funds, which are intended to support their education and reduce financial barriers that hinder school attendance among adolescent girls.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, expressed satisfaction with AGILE’s strategy for reaching beneficiaries.
She urged caregivers to ensure that the funds are used strictly for educational purposes, stressing that the initiative aims to empower girls through learning and financial inclusion.
Also speaking during a monitoring visit to some schools, the AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, lauded the smooth conduct of the exercise and assured that all verified beneficiaries would receive their cards within the stipulated period.
Dr. Amina further noted that corrections were being made for beneficiaries who submitted incorrect National Identification Numbers (NINs), adding that the project team is compiling accurate information to resolve the issue.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project is a World Bank supported initiative aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria through scholarships, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
