The Governor of Kebbi State has secured a 70 million dollar World Bank Grant to strengthen adolescent girl-child education in the state.

Gov. Atiku Bagudu made this known at the 5th Kebbi State Women Ramadan Lecture Series held in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s capital over the weekend.

According to data from EduCeleb, 38% out of school children in Nigeria are girls. This percent represents 3.85 million girls out of 10.19 million children.

The article further showed that in Kebbi State, 144000 girls were out of school in 2019.

The governor said the World Bank grant would be targeted at offering both formal and informal education that would include skill acquisition.

According to the governor, these skills would enable the girls to be more productive and self-reliant, even in their matrimonial homes.

Bagudu said: “The good news is that the more we invest in women, the more prosperous our society will be.

“The grant will complement the various programmes and policies aimed at making life better for the girl-child, women and other vulnerable groups in the state.”

Bagudu stressed the need to legislate and appropriate more money for Girl-Child Education and other related welfare schemes.

The governor noted that women must be supported to play their societal roles, just as it has been ordained by the Almighty Allah.

He observed that women play key roles in the routine running of the society, apart from their respective family responsibilities.

“If we religiously heed to the various Islamic injunctions as regards our entire lives and family bonds, we will live in a healthier, safe and peaceful society.

“Our various families, diligently anchored by our wives, mothers and daughters will be able to surmount all the formidable challenges and survive any economic turbulence,” he added.