The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Second Chance Programme has successfully enrolled over 100 women for adult classes during an enrollment drive campaign held today in Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Jamila Ibrahim, the lead person for Component 2.2c of the Second Chance AGILE Education Programme, stated this during the event. She expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the level of interest shown by the community. “It was a good gathering. We have wanted to come to Warawa, and the way people are showing their interest is commendable. They came out, and this is a validation process. The turnout is okay, and we enrolled more than a hundred. The facilitators that are going to train the young girls are here,” she said.

Ibrahim highlighted the diverse group of enrollees, including young girls aged 15 and parents who are 25, as well as the physically challenged. She emphasized the commitment to achieving their targets and praised the local government chairmen for their support. “It’s very interesting. The women have come out who are 15 years of age and parents who are 25. They are currently being enrolled, among them are the physically challenged. We have our target, but the way LG chairmen are showing their interest is very commendable,” she added.

Cross section of women undergoing validation

Lamido Sunusi Ahmad, Chairman of Warawa Local Government, expressed his delight with the programme. “This programme has elated us, but we are not surprised. We know one of the priorities of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government is education. The Second Chance AGILE for educating women is something to be very happy about, which combines with empowerment, especially in our local government, which is one of the backward areas in education. I am very delighted,” Ahmad stated.

Beneficiaries also shared their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. Ummu Salama Alasan, a beneficiary, explained her motivation for returning to education. “I wanted to be educated because my parents died when I was young. What I always do is knit caps. I am just passionate, and I vow to continue pursuing education,” she said.

Shuaibu Isyaku, a parent who brought his daughter, expressed his happiness and prayed for the success of the government. “I am going to pray for the government to succeed,” he stated.

Sakina Basiru from Mandarin Taba, another enrollee, shared her experience, saying, “I enrolled in the programme with the support of my husband, and he accompanied me. I never participated in Western education before.”

Fatima Muhammad, who had previously stopped schooling at SS2, expressed her elation at returning to education. “I am elated, and I am here with the support of my father who accompanied me,” she said.

The AGILE Second Chance Programme continues to make significant strides in providing educational opportunities to women, empowering them to achieve their full potential and contributing to the overall development of the region.

Yushau Shuaibu, a renowned public relations guru and head of PRNigeria, delivered an insightful presentation on the role of social media in national development and nation-building. This presentation was part of the Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Annual Public Lecture, organized by Adnan Mukhtar & Associates in collaboration with the Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation, held at Mambayya House in Kano.

In his paper titled “Social Media for National Development and Nation-Building,” Shuaibu emphasized the transformative power of social media as a tool for creating, interacting, and spreading messages. He highlighted the affordability and accessibility of social media, which allows for multimedia content, immediate communication, and widespread reach.

Shuaibu illustrated the rapid growth of social media platforms, noting that it took radio 38 years to reach 50 million users, while television took the same amount of time. In contrast, Facebook garnered over 100 million users in less than nine months from its creation. Today, Facebook boasts 2.8 billion users, and WhatsApp has 2 billion users, underscoring the immense power of social media.

He also discussed the various ways social media enhances transparency, civil engagement, economic development, and community support.

Jafar Jafar and Danbello were mentioned for their efforts in enhancing transparency and civic engagement, while Yakubu Sani Wudil was recognized for his contributions to economic development. Aisha Falke was acknowledged for addressing social issues and uniting community support.

However, Shuaibu also addressed the challenges posed by social media, such as the spread of fake news, misinformation, social division, and polarization. He pointed out that culprits, including politicians and terrorists, often use fake news to achieve their purposes.

To effectively use social media, Shuaibu recommended social media marketing strategies to push brands, increase brand awareness, and improve customer engagement. He emphasized the importance of defining target audiences, improving response times, providing newsworthy content, and incorporating multimedia access.

Adnan Mukhtar, representing the organizing firm, highlighted the significance of the annual public lecture and the role of social media in shaping lives. He praised Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo for his mentorship and contributions to society, both socially and academically.

Dr. Muhammad Israr, President of Maryam Abacha American University, urged attendees to help those in need, especially during these challenging times. He emphasized the role of social media in raising awareness and fostering development.

The event concluded with a call to action for individuals to leverage social media for positive change and nation-building.

The Moses Andishu Foundation(MAF) has distributed relief materials worth over N20 million to indigent persons across Nigeria to mark the yuletide season.

The foundation brought festive cheers to orphans, widows, children in Cross, River, Kaduna and Kano .

In Obudu , Cross River , MAF disbursed food items, cows and rams to the beneficiaries to mark the Christmas and new year festive celebrations.

Traditional rulers, clergy and community leaders also benefitted from the yuletide celebration packages disbursed to members of the beneficiary communities drawn from across the states.

The honcho of the foundation , Moses Ted Andishu, disclosed that the annual MAF end of the year gesture was carried out to commemorate the spirit of Christmas and New Year festivities.

He said MAF was established in 2020 is with the vision and mission to support the needy in the society, adding that , since its creation the organization pursues the alleviation of poverty and offers support to vulnerable groups, now an annual poverty alleviation exercise.

Moses Ted Andishu,who is the CEO of Freivan Support Services Limited, UK in a statement issued at the close of the 2024 festivities, last Thursday , said the beneficiaries were selected from diverse parts of Nigeria.

Our correspondent reports that , the items were distributed to less privileged people, comprising of widows, orphans and aged persons..

Pastor Joseph Andishu, who signed the statement said “Moses Ted Andishu, the CEO of Freivan Support Services Limited is an international award winning entrepreneur (Be Mogul) and philanthropist based in the UK.

“In 2020, when he visited his home, Obudu Local Government area of Cross Rivers State, “Andishu met different challenges faced by his people and was moved to start the MOSES ANDISHU FOUNDATION. MAF a non-profit platform to empowers people.

“So far, the MOSES ANDISHU FOUNDATION , has supported several people with motorcycles for local transportation, sewing machines for tailoring businesses, and soft skill development for leadership. This foundation has also provides widows with food items particularly during festive periods.

“Moses found his purpose of giving back to every community he is a part of. Little wonder his presence and foundation have evolved into a phenomenon his people yearn for.

“He has also tutored and mentored skilled individuals in the UK, supported schools, paid hospital bills, empowered the youth, and over-all, alleviated poverty. It’s in this fit that he was recognized with the naming of a major street (Moses Andishu Street) named after him in Kaduna state (his town of birth),” the statement stated.