By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, today launched the disbursement of financial incentives to 32,382 girls, Micro-Enterprise Grant to 1,500 grassroots beneficiaries and empowerment materials to 340 women in the state.
A statement by Mamman Mohammed, who is the Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor said that 32,382 beneficiaries were supported with over N1.2 billion, adding, that the project which was conceived and nurtured in conjunction with the World Bank in 2024, has started yielding positive results in the education sector through AGILE for the education of the girl-child.
“This project perfectly aligns with the policy thrust for our administration which accords topmost priority to the education sector due to our belief that in education, the foundation for progress and development of every society are built, and requires adequate attention, funding and supervision to succeed.
“This administration, in its determination to rejuvenate the education sector, embarked on some key reforms which include, but not limited to, massive employment of qualified teachers, training and retraining of teachers, re-construction and renovation of over 5000 classrooms, establishment of 13 Mega and Model schools, provision of teaching and learning materials in both basic and senior secondary schools, and the timely payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees for SS III students of Yobe State origin in all public schools across the state.
“Similarly, in our quest to boost the girl child education, we established nine (9) Senior Girls Day Secondary Schools across the state to ensure a smooth transition for our girls to attain senior secondary education after completing junior secondary school, thereby reducing cases of drop-outs among the girls,” the governor added.
Also, the governor launched the disbursement of N300 million Micro Enterprises Grants to 1,500 beneficiaries from the displaced community of Malum Dunari in Gujba Local Government Area.
“This intervention is another clear demonstration of our administration’s commitment to recovery, stabilization, and durable solutions for communities affected by insurgency, displacement and economic disruption.
“This intervention complements the massive investments already ongoing in agriculture and infrastructure across Gujba LGA, particularly in Goniri, a major host community neighboring Mallam Dunari.
“In Goniri, our government has constructed a new Primary Health Care Centre, provided motorized water boreholes, and installed solar streetlights in addition to other household packages across different projects aimed at improving security and quality of life,” Governor Buni said.
Accordingly, the government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, has empowered 340 beneficiaries in various vocations selected from the 17 Local Government Areas across the state to uplift their economic status.
A total of 340 women will receive 170 Cooking Gas, 170 Micro-Ovens, 170 Mixers and 170 bags of flour in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, to enable them commence various types of pastries that will serve as a source of income for them, he noted.
“Let me therefore, use this opportunity to admonish the beneficiaries of these items, Micro-Enterprise Grant and Conditional Cash Transfer to the students, to reciprocate government’s gesture by making judicious use of these items and financial interventions to justify the confidence reposed in them, bearing in mind that you are the lucky few that were selected, out of thousands that require these interventions,” he warned.
Malam Abdullahi Bula, AGILE State Project Coordinator said the disbursement of the financial incentive to 32,382 girls selected from the 17 Local Government Areas was to empower female students from economically disadvantaged homes.
“The cash intervention will go a long way in ensuring that beneficiaries remain in school,” he said.
According to SEMA Executive Secretary, Dr. Muhammadu Goje, every beneficiary from Mallam Dunari will receive ₦200,000 to restart or expand a micro-enterprise, following rigorous training in business.
