*As NAWOJ Visits
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
The State Project Coordinator of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Enugu State, Dr. Ebele Georgina Chukwu Onuora, has called for stronger partnership with the media to promote girl-child education, enhance school retention, and combat gender-based violence across the state.
Dr. Onuora made the call while receiving the leadership of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Enugu State chapter, during a courtesy visit to her office in Enugu.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Onuora expressed delight at the visit and described the media as a critical stakeholder in driving social change, public awareness, and behavioural transformation.
She commended NAWOJ for its sustained advocacy for women, children, and the girl-child, noting that effective media engagement is essential to achieving the objectives of the AGILE Project.
She highlighted the pivotal role played by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, in attracting the AGILE Project, a World Bank-assisted initiative, to the state.
According to her, the governor’s unwavering support and commitment ensured the successful fulfilment of all onboarding requirements, enabling the State to fully participate in the programme.
Onuora explained that AGILE is designed to improve access to quality secondary education, reduce out of school rates, and support the retention and completion of secondary school education, with special emphasis on adolescent girls.
She noted that while the project accommodates both girls and boys, its primary focus remains on keeping the girl-child in school and empowering her to reach her full potential.
She restated that the project supports participating secondary schools with learning materials, teaching aids, and infrastructural improvements, while also implementing programmes aimed at addressing barriers to girls’ education, including poverty, menstrual hygiene challenges, early marriage, and gender-based violence.
According to her, AGILE has also partnered with reputable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to carry out advocacy and sensitization campaigns across various Local Government Areas of the state.
These activities include community engagement, school outreach programmes, and the distribution of essential items such as menstrual cups and school bags to students, aimed at promoting dignity, attendance, and sustained participation in school.
She emphasized lthat strategic collaboration with the media would help amplify these interventions, deepen public understanding of girl-child education issues, and mobilise community support against practices that undermine the rights and wellbeing of girls.
Earlier in her remarks, the Enugu State chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Ngozi Ngene, said that the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional partnership with AGILE and exploring areas of collaboration in advocacy, public enlightenment, and programme visibility.
She explained that NAWOJ, with a membership strength of about 160 female journalists drawn from print, broadcast, and online media organisations in the state, is committed to promoting the rights and welfare of women, children, and the girl-child through conventional and digital media platforms.
Ngene noted that the association organises various programmes during its annual August Meeting, health talks, menstrual hygiene education, and digital skills training, while also holding monthly meetings that focus on members’ welfare and capacity building.
She however, expressed NAWOJ’s readiness to support AGILE’s goals through sustained media coverage and advocacy.
The visit featured the presentation of NAWOJ’s mandate document and a branded T-shirt to Dr. Onuora, in recognition of the shared commitment between AGILE and NAWOJ to promoting girl-child education, combating gender-based violence, and advancing the welfare of women and girls in Enugu State.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Dr. Onuora (left) and Ngene… during the visit.
