By Bishop Aturu
No fewer than 200 Facilitators, Education Management Information System (EMIS) Officers and Area Officers across non-formal education sectors and vocational centres in Kogi State have benefited from a comprehensive refresher training aimed at improving data collection and service delivery.
The training was organized by the Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), in partnership with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), the implementing partner under Sub-Component 2.2c for Alternative Education.
The capacity-building programme, held at the Event Hall of Choice Apartment in Adavi Local Government Area and Royal Dome Hotel in Dekina Local Government Area, attracted participants from the Central, Western and Eastern Senatorial Districts of the state.
The initiative focused on addressing critical gaps identified during first quarter monitoring exercises, while strengthening participants’ competencies in data management, instructional delivery and programme implementation across learning centres.
Speaking at the event, the State Project Coordinator (SPC), Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, described the training as a strategic intervention designed to enhance the overall effectiveness of the AGILE project in Kogi State.
He noted that equipping facilitators and officers with the right knowledge and tools remains key to achieving sustainable outcomes, especially in the area of non-formal education targeting adolescent girls.
Alhaji Oricha further emphasized that accurate data collection and reporting are fundamental to the success of any development programme.
He stressed that strengthening the capacity of EMIS officers would not only improve accountability but also support evidence-based planning and decision-making across the project’s implementation cycle.
He commended the collaboration between AGILE and PIBCID, noting that such partnerships are essential in delivering impactful and community-driven interventions.
The SPC urged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve learning outcomes and expand access to quality education across underserved communities.
Earlier in her remarks, the Sub-Component Lead for 2.2c Alternative Education, Hajia Mariam Bello, described the refresher training as a critical step toward strengthening the quality of non-formal education delivery in Kogi State.
She explained that the initiative was carefully designed to address gaps identified during the first quarter monitoring exercise, while reinforcing professional standards through the signing of the Code of Conduct and improving facilitators’ instructional approaches.
According to her, continuous capacity building remains essential in equipping facilitators to meet the diverse learning needs within their communities.
She highlighted the importance of the interactive breakout sessions, which provided participants with opportunities to assess and refine their teaching strategies, while also enhancing collaboration among facilitators and officers.
Hajia Bello further underscored the critical role of EMIS officers in ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.
She noted that quality data is indispensable for informed decision-making, proper planning and overall programme success.
She added that ongoing evaluation exercises would help identify key needs across learning centres, enabling targeted interventions that address specific challenges.
Looking ahead, she expressed optimism about the next phase of the programme, which will include the introduction of life skills and vocational studies, as well as the translation of learning primers into local languages to promote inclusivity.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the project to empowering learners with practical skills that can improve their livelihoods, urging participants to remain dedicated and proactive in their roles.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of PIBCID, Rachael Akande, emphasized the significance of the training, noting that it would have a far-reaching impact on the lives of beneficiaries.
She stated that strengthening the capacity of facilitators and officers is central to achieving the project’s objectives, adding that well-trained personnel are better positioned to deliver quality education and support community development
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She further encouraged participants to embrace the knowledge and skills acquired during the training, stressing that their commitment and performance will directly influence the success of the programme and the positive transformation of learners across the state.
Participants at the training expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the sessions as insightful and impactful.
Many highlighted improved understanding of data collection techniques, enhanced teaching strategies, and better coordination approaches as key takeaways from the programme.
They also pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their respective centres, assuring stakeholders of their readiness to uphold the standards introduced during the training.
The participants reiterated their commitment to improving learning outcomes and ensuring that the objectives of the AGILE project are fully realized at the grassroots level.
Key activities during the training included the signing of Code of Conduct forms, breakout sessions to assess facilitators’ teaching strategies, administration of evaluation forms to identify critical needs in learning centres, discussions on the translation of primers into local languages, and the introduction of life skills and vocational studies as part of the next phase of the programme.
