By Ibrahim Kado
Network of Adamawa Women-Led Organisations with support from United Nations Population Fund has trained 30 vulnerable women and Persons With Disabilities on briquettes production.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that briquette is a compressed block of coal dust or other combustible biomass material (e.g. charcoal, sawdust, wood chips, peat, or paper) used for fuel and kindling to start a fire.
Speaking at the training on Saturday in Numan Local Government, Mrs Galaxy Thimi, NAWLO’s Chairperson said the training was aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.
She said the theme of the training “Empowering vulnerable rural women through sustainable climate change initiative” was in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day.
“That is why we brought vulnerable women including those with disabilities from Numan, Demsa and Lamurde to partake in the training,” she said.
The chairperson said the skills would enable the women to produce briquettes for domestic use and commercial purposes as source of income generation.
Galaxy thanked and appreciated UNFPA for the support and cooperation in touching the lives of vulnerable women in the state.
Mr Chris Sabum, UNFPA’s Humanitarian Coordinator and the Head of the Maiduguri sub Office, appreciated NAWLO for coming up with this innovative idea of Investing in Women and young Adolescent Girls, as part of the measure of promoting Gender equality and preventing GBV,
Sabum, represented by the UNFPA Adamawa Program Officer, Dr. Danladi Idrisa said, UNFPA is committed to supporting the Government and people of Adamawa State through localisation and community efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.
Idrisa, called on stakeholders to invest in women to enable them contribute positively to the society.
Mr Bala Kalu, the state Commissioner for Environment, in his remarks, referred to climate change as a global phenomenal, hence the need for stakeholders to contribute toward reducing its impact on the environment.
Kalu, represented by Mr Steven Yarima, Deputy Director, Forestry, said that production of briquettes would help to reduce indiscriminate felling of trees for firewood.
According to him, usage of firewood is dangerous to health, hence the need for women to embrace the use of briquettes.
Mrs Falda Wesley, representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs, on her part, appreciated the group for the initiative and called on the beneficiaries to pass on the knowledge acquired to other women in their respective communities.
The group had also sensitised some stakeholders in Demsa, Numan and Lamoure local councils on the need to empower women and vulnerable persons in their respective communities for more development
