Bauchi: FAHIMTA, FOMWAN, MEDA empower 1198 adolescents on life skills

From Paul Orude Bauchi
Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI), in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Child is Gold Foundation (CIGF), has trained 1198 adolescents in Bauchi State.

The partnership saw the training of 948 girls and 250 boys under the The Life Skills Programme for Girls (LSP4G).

The LSP4G project was carried out with support from Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA) across 37 communities in seven Local Government Aresa of Bauchi, Dass, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Katagum, Toro and Warji under the NIGERIA WAY.

It was designed to reduce the rate of drug abuse, early marriage, forced marriage, street hawking by empowering out-of school adolescents with basic life skills.

“It’s for adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 11-18 years, whether they are in school or not,” the Executive Director of FAWOYDI, Mrs Dinah Istifanu, said.

“The emphasis is on out of school or school dropout in the seven MEDA LGAs in the state where Nigeria WAY works”

Istifanus spoke during a Peer Learning conference organized for beneficiaries to share experiences on the impacts of the life skills project in the State, held at M.L Audu Hall of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi.

She explained that the training would empower the girls and boys to overcome socio-cultural factors of deprivations, discriminations and dependency.

Istifanus said adolescent period was a significant state of growth and development that marks the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.

“It is characterized by rapid psychological changes and maturation,” she said.

According to her, the LSP4G curriculum is a practical tool that aims to provide a safe environment for girls’ empowerment.

“The activities in the curriculum encourages interactivity, creativity, motivation, and a positive learning process,” she said.

“From the beginning, it allows Girls/Boys to set their own life skills goals.

“The program contains eight modules and it’s designed to be delivered over a series of days determined by seasonal activities and the availability of participants.

“It is my sincere belief and hope that the government stakeholders present here will sustain the established relationship and ensure that the project covers the entire LGAs in Bauchi state”