The Adamawa State Commissioner for Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Hammanjuba Gatugel, has called on beneficiaries of the briquette charcoal production training to put the skills they acquired to effective use and share the knowledge in their respective rural communities to boost impact and sustainability.
Hon. Gatugel made the appeal during the closing ceremony of a five-day training and empowerment programme on Conversion of Waste to Wealth through Briquette Charcoal Production. The event, which took place at the Ministry’s Conference Hall on Friday, brought together 100 members of cooperative societies drawn from the five cooperative zones of Adamawa State.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the success of the training and attributed its achievement to the commitment of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration. He noted that the state government is determined to ensure inclusive development and leave no segment of the state behind.
“As the theme implies, conversion of waste to wealth, I urge you, the beneficiaries, to return to your communities and step down this training. Knowledge acquired should not be in vain,” Gatugel said.
He explained that the initiative is in line with the vision of Governor Fintiri’s administration to promote inclusive growth across all sectors, especially in rural communities. The Commissioner highlighted that the training is particularly important following the state government’s ban on indiscriminate tree felling due to its environmental effects. He added that briquette charcoal production presents a cleaner, more environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative source of energy while also turning waste materials into economic value.
Gatugel further stated that the Ministry would monitor beneficiaries to ensure that the skills and equipment provided are properly utilized. He appreciated Governor Fintiri for his support toward the programme and announced that all participants would go home with start-up kits to begin production immediately.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Kwaji Duguri, congratulated the beneficiaries and commended the Fintiri-led administration for its continued support. He described the training as part of a series of empowerment programmes designed to improve livelihoods and raise the standard of living across Adamawa State.
According to Duguri, the Ministry remains dedicated to implementing programmes that make a positive difference in the lives of citizens, adding that entrepreneurship continues to play a vital role in driving economic growth within the state.
In her remarks, the Director of Cooperatives, Hajiya Zainab Idi Bode, applauded the state government for organizing the training and encouraged the beneficiaries to pass on the knowledge to other cooperative members at the local government level.
She cautioned that the equipment provided to participants must not be sold and warned that the Ministry would not tolerate any form of misuse or violation of the directive. Hajiya Zainab emphasized that the main aim of the programme is to equip 100 cooperative members with the skills, tools, and knowledge required to produce, use, and market biomass briquette charcoal from waste materials, thereby creating wealth and job opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
The resource person, Mr. Ezra Sini, CEO of Ziki Ecoglobal Concept, appreciated the Ministry and the Adamawa State Government for supporting waste-to-wealth initiatives using locally available agricultural waste. He thanked the Ministry for the opportunity to serve as a facilitator and urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained and share it widely in their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating participants, Dr. Rakiya Mohammed Inuwa of ACADA Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Modibbo Adama University, expressed appreciation to the Ministry and Governor Fintiri for organizing the training. She explained that the programme exposed participants to practical methods of converting waste into wealth and pledged, on behalf of all beneficiaries, to make good use of the skills acquired for productive purposes.
