By Mustapha Salisu
His Highness the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has expelled the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program from Katsina state.
The decision was made due to concerns that the program violates Islamic teachings and attempts to “pollute the education of girls.”
During a ceremony at his palace on Saturday, the Emir expressed his disapproval of the program’s practices.
“AGILE is trying to prevent our girls from wearing hijab and teaching them some morals that are not in line with our culture and tradition,”
“This program is crossing its boundaries, and we will not condone such acts as elders of the land. We will do our best to ensure that this does not continue to happen in our land” The Emir stated.
The AGILE project, supported by the World Bank, aims to improve adolescent girls’ education in several Nigerian states. However, the program’s implementation in Katsina has generated controversy due to its perceived conflict with Islamic values.