The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has partnered with the Adamawa State Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA) to strengthen skills acquisition and economic empowerment for youths and vulnerable persons across Adamawa State.
The collaboration focuses on entrepreneurial and vocational training delivered through PAWECA’s ten Technical Skills Acquisition Centres (TSACs). Beneficiaries are receiving training in catering, mobile phone repairs, renewable energy including solar installation, electrical installation, and other specialised trades aimed at improving employability and self reliance.
Receiving an ICRC delegation, the Director General of PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, represented by the Director of Training and Empowerment, Mr. Sydney Abubakar, said the Adamawa State Government is currently training about ten thousand youths and women in each of the ten centres across the state. He added that the government plans to introduce an apprenticeship programme for graduates of the centres to help them gain hands on business experience, customer relations skills, and full mastery of their chosen trades.
Abubakar expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his strong commitment to entrepreneurship development in the state and commended the ICRC for providing solar security lights across the training centres. He said both organisations would continue to collaborate to expand skills development initiatives.
Earlier, the ICRC Economic and Security Delegate for Adamawa State, Ms. Lynn Bousaba, described the partnership as impactful, noting that 25 vulnerable persons are currently undergoing training at the Mubi Skills Acquisition Centre under ICRC sponsorship. She said there are plans to increase the number to 50 beneficiaries.
Bousaba commended the Adamawa State Government and PAWECA under the leadership of Dr. Michael Zira for sustained efforts at poverty reduction, adding that the ICRC remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve livelihoods and lift people out of poverty across the state. The programme targets inclusive growth and term stability for communities statewide.
