Yola: The Adamawa government has successfully trained 100 members of cooperative societies on briquette compressed block production as part of its waste-to-wealth initiative. Alhaji Hammajumba Gatugel, the state Commissioner for Entrepreneurship Development, shared these developments during the closing ceremony of the training held in Yola.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative aims to empower beneficiaries from 10 Local Government Areas within the state to reduce poverty and enhance self-reliance. Gatugel emphasized the environmental benefits of converting agricultural and biomass waste into alternative energy sources and urged participants to utilize their new skills effectively. He also highlighted the ministry’s commitment to supporting the beneficiaries with starter packs while cautioning against the sale of these items.
Mr. Kwaji Duguri, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, noted that the training concluded an intensive capacity-building program for cooperative members utilizing homegrown technology. Duguri explained that the program aligns with the administration’s goals of empowering rural communities, diversifying livelihoods, and supporting environmental policies, such as the ban on tree cutting.
Hajiya Zainab Bode, the ministry’s Director of Cooperatives, stated that the training equipped participants with the skills necessary to produce, use, and market biomass briquettes, thereby creating jobs and wealth in rural areas. She encouraged beneficiaries to share their knowledge within their respective cooperative societies.
Dr. Rakiya Inuwa, representing the cooperatives, expressed gratitude to the state government for the initiative and pledged to leverage the skills acquired to improve livelihoods.
The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that the event featured cash presentations and the distribution of briquette production machinery to participants.