By Gbenga Akingbule.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiame Diop on Tuesday singled out Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum as one of the best-performing governors in implementing the World Bank support AGILE project.
Gatekeepers News reports that Dr Diop also stated that the World Bank is very committed to supporting the efforts of the Borno State Government in the rebuilding schools.
Dr Diop gave the commendation while commissioning a Mega School – the permanent site of Government Day Secondary School, Mairi , Jere Local Government Council of Borno State.
The AGILE project is the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) Project is a World Bank assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education geared at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20.
Out of the seven Implementing states of Ekiti, Kano Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau and Borno , the World Bank Country Director says Borno State Government is doing an excellent job towards transforming the educational sector.
According to Dr Diop, “this (Borno) is one of the best performing states for the AGILE project in Nigeria,” adding that “I will like to reaffirm out very strong commitment to really support the efforts of the government to provide children and adolescent in the state a very conducive learning environment and brighter future.”
Ealier in his address, Prof Zulum extended his gratitude to the World Bank for its instrumental role in supporting Borno State’s developmental efforts through projects such as the the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA), the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
“These initiatives have significantly advanced the developmental strides of our state and we are deeply appreciative of the World Bank’s partnership and support,” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum also revealed a major reduction in the number of out-of-school children from over 2.2 million to fewer than 700,000, representing a 70% reduction.
Over the past five years, the Zulum – led administration has undertaken significant investments in education. Prof Zulum said his administration has constructed 104 schools, restored 2,931 classrooms and distributed millions of instructional materials to both basic and secondary schools across the state.
