Home / Health / Nostalgia as Canadian Adolescents’ development programme comes to an end in Gombe.
Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rashid, Commissioner of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk, during REACH project close out in Gombe State.

Nostalgia as Canadian Adolescents’ development programme comes to an end in Gombe.


Some of the Adolescents during the close out ceremony of REACH project in Gombe State.
Altine Lewi, SCI Programme Manager, Gombe State
Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rashid, Commissioner of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk, during REACH project close out in Gombe State.

William Attah, Gombe

Traditional rulers, Government officials and adolescents were among many other stakeholders who called for the extension of the Global Affairs Canada development programme in Gombe State as it came to an end.
These reactions came to light during the close out programme of the REACH project in Gombe, the State capital as well as Dukku LGA and Talasse, Balanga LGA.
The three year Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make informed Choices for their Health (REACH) programme, was executed by Save the Children International (SCI) in two Local Government Areas in Gombe State with funding from Global Affairs Canada.
The Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rashid who paid glowing tribute to the programme due to what he described as it’s positive impact on Adolescents in his domain expressed sadness over its conclusion.
According to him, “it has turned around the lives of our children by giving them adequate knowledge to make informed choices in their lives.”
He assured that he, along with other traditional rulers would support the sustainability of the programme as it has started addressing issues such as early marriages, drug abuse, schools drop out, gender based violence among many other social ills associated with Adolescents.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Naomi JJ Awak, expressed happiness with the acceptance of the programme by the beneficiaries and added that the State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, gave the enabling environment for the project to succeed, thus, also called for it’s extension.
Other Commissioners who also paid glowing tribute to the programme were the Commissioners of Education, Health as well as the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency who all agreed that the expectations had been met.
Some adolescents who benefited from the project told our correspondent how the programme had built up their confidence and exposed them to life changing behaviours that will be beneficial to them and the society.
In her address, Programme Manager of SCI in Gombe State, Altine Lewi, said the programme succeeded in reaching out to thousands of Adolescents (some married) with sexual, reproductive as well as positive life changing behavioural messages to help them make informed choices in their lives.
While outlining some of the challenges faced during the execution of the programme, Altine Lewi however commended CSOs, media, parents and many other stakeholders who contributed to the success of the project in the State.
The programmes, both in Gombe, Dukku and Balanga, witnessed exciting performances by the Adolescents who exhibited their talents from what they learned through presentations in debates, drama, poetry presentations, discussion programmes among many others.

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