Abuja: The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has launched its 2026 training program for the staff of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) to spearhead reforms in the gold mining sector. The training, focused on professional ethics and personal effectiveness, is part of a broader series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping PAGMI’s workforce with essential skills and knowledge.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the SMDF’s Executive Secretary, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, addressed attendees at the two-day capacity-building event in Abuja. Represented by her Personal Assistant, Alhaji Abdullahi Odey, Shinkafi stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in their duties. She highlighted that the training is a strategic move to bolster staff capacity, professionalism, and service delivery across the agency.
Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi emphasized the critical role of ethical conduct and personal discipline in achieving organizational goals and reform agendas. She underscored the significance of core values such as professionalism, effective communication, teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect, and time management in delivering high-quality public services. She further stated that a strong work ethic is foundational to organizational trust, operational efficiency, and a healthy workplace culture.
The SMDF’s Executive Secretary encouraged participants to embrace opportunities for personal and professional development, noting that the agency’s future depends on the collective commitment and effectiveness of its workforce. In her remarks, Hajiya Amina Jambo, founder of Coaching, Counselling and Allied Services (CCAS) and a facilitator of the training, highlighted the importance of effective time management as key to building strong personal and professional ethics.
Additionally, Mrs. Idowu Jokpeyibo, SMDF’s Head of Corporate Communications, remarked that the training offers a significant opportunity to advance mining reforms. She praised the SMDF’s leadership for prioritizing staff welfare and capacity development, which fosters an environment conducive to personal and organizational growth.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that PAGMI was established to provide artisanal miners with market access through a National Gold Purchase Programme. The initiative aims to promote safer and more efficient mining practices, ensure responsible sourcing, create jobs, boost productivity, and enhance miners’ health and safety.