By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Chief Mrs. Abigail Peter Fada is 59 years old and she was born in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The Comrade who was instrumental to the formation of Nigeria Labour Congress in Gombe State, had Master of Science Degree (M.Sc) in Agricultural Extension Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1998 and also had her Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics & Extension, from the University of Nigeria,Nsukka in 1991.
Before that, this Agricultural Extension Specialist who rose to the rank of Programme Manager of Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme ( GSADP), equivalent to Permanent Secretary also had Higher National Diploma in General Agriculture from the Federal School of Agriculture,Umudike, in Abia State, 1985.
Desirous of education as the beacon of hope, she had her Ordinary National Diploma, School of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Bauchi in 1982.
In 1979, she attended Government Girls Secondary School,Doma, in Gombe, where she had her West Africa School Certificate (WASC) with flying colours and had her First School Leaving Certificate at the Todi Primary school in 1974, her home town, respectively.
Work Experience:
From 2021-2022, she was the Programme Manager, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP) equivalent to Permanent Secretary before her retirement from active service.
Chief Mrs Abigail Peter Fada has held many positions ranging from the Director, Extension Services,GSADP in 2016-2021, Research Associate ( Gender and Youth Development) ATASP-1, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,( IITA) Outreach Programme in 2016 while in 2014-2016, she was Chief Agricultural Officer ( Gender Specialist) of GSADP respectively.
Chief Mrs Abigail Fada who holds multiple traditional titles to her credit due to hard work, dedication, patriotism, commitment ,philanthropism was also a Community Development and Gender Specialist, AFDB – Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development Project from 2007-2013, State Facilitator, Nutrition and Health, National Special Programme for Food Security in 2002-2007 and Head, Women in Agriculture, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme from 2004-2007.
This bridge builder and detribalised woman , was Subject Matter Specialist, Women in Agriculture, State Agricultural Development Programme from 1992-2004 and Farm Management Assistant from Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme in 1988-1991 and also served her mandatory National Youth Service Corp from 1985-1986.
Chief Mrs Abigail Fada had attended Local, national and international conferences, seminars and workshops as part of her job training, among which was the Management for Women in Agriculture and Rural Development at Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), llorin, in Kwara State in 1988, Extension Training Principles and Methods, NAERLS, Zaria, 1990 in Kaduna State and also Communication Strategies for Reaching Rural Women NAERLS, Zaria,in 1992 respectively.
Also,She attended Basic Management Skills for Income Generation Activities for Women at Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin,1994, Preservation, Storage, Processing and Utilisation of Food Crops NAERLS/NSPRI,1994, Strategies for Reaching Rural Women, NAERLS, Zaria,1995 and Medium Scale Soya Milk Production Enterprise, AIDU, 2001.
Other notable programmes are Poultry Production and Innovations for Women in Agriculture, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI,) 2002, in Jos, Plateau State, Certificate in Computer Studies, 2003, National Policy on Women,2004, Post Harvest Technology as Panacea for Efficient Food Security and the Economic Development; organised by Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO/ SMEDAN), 2004, “Building our Future through Education”, organised by Nigeria Labour Congress Local School, 2005, Special Management Development Training, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Illorin,2006, and she also participated on the ADB Procurement and Financial Management Workshop for AFDB- Assisted Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development Project ( CBARDP) Officer,2007.
She attended the Participatory Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Training Prude Consult/ CMD, Kano in 2008, Community Based Investment Procurement Training Workshop, AFDB- CBARDP in 2008, Gender Mainstreaming Workshop, leading Edge Academy, Abuja,2008, International Workshop in Gender Management System,Accra, Ghana,2008.
Other international conferences, Chief Mrs Abigail Fada attended in Israel is Eliminating Rural Poverty: the Israel Development Experience,Negev.Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development ( NISPED) , Israel in 2009 and AFDB- Participatory, Monitoring and Evaluation, Result- Based Workshop in 2010.
Chief Mrs Abigail Fada plays a vital role in Gombe State’s agricultural development as the Programme Manager of the Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP). Her expertise in agricultural economics, policy, project management, and extension services enables her to drive positive change during her leadership.
Key Responsibilities She Implemented:
•Implemented State Agricultural Policies:- Chief Mrs. Fada ensured that GSADP aligns with state policies, promoting agricultural growth under her watch.
•Coordinated Projects and Initiatives:- She oversees various projects, fostering collaboration and efficiency as an Agricultural Extension Specialist.
•Enhancing Farmers’ Productivity and Livelihoods:
Chief Mrs. Fada worked to improve farmers’ income and well-being and her meticulous performance is guide future managers to follow.
•Promoting Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Innovation: She encouraged innovative farming practices and entrepreneurship in line with best practices.
GSADP Objectives under her watch:
•Increase Agricultural Productivity and Production_
•Improve Farmers’ Access to Markets and Credit_
•Enhance Agricultural Extension Services_
•Support Value Chain Development_
•Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture_
Chief Mrs. Fada’s Achievements in Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme witnessed the following during her stewardship:
• Increased crop yields and livestock production
•Improved farmers’ income and livelihoods
• Enhanced food security and nutrition
•Supported women and youth in agriculture
•Fostered partnerships with stakeholders.
Summary Profile:
She was the Community Development and Gender Specialist of African Development Bank Assisted Community Based and Rural Development Project (CBARDP) and she had thirty three years (33) of cognate experience in measures and programmes to upgrade the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Nigeria in particularly from old defunct Bauchi State and presently , to Gombe State.
It is on record that the CBARDP was one of Nigeria’s poverty alleviation projects aimed at sustainably increasing the income of small-scale farmers and other rural enterprises as it is obtained in the rural communities in a socially inclusive manner, using the Community-Driven-Development (CDD) approach and being expert in that field, I she is knowledgeable in imparting skills and know-how to participating states through the Technical Support Teams to enable them facilitate rural communities, use of participatory rural appraisal to asses their situations , prioritize their needs, use the log frame to prepare Local Development Plans which the communities will implements, supervise and monitor themselves.
Chief Mrs Abigail Fada was responsible for identifying Skill Gaps of staff and beneficiaries and designing/conduct of tailor-made trainings for the identified gap while she also participated fully in the preparation of project mid-term/completion review report of the recently concluded AfBD – CBARDP Project.
Prior to her appointment as the Community Development and Gender Specialist to CBARDP, she was the Head, Women in Agricultural/Facilitator Nutrition and Health of National Special Programme for Food Security (NSPFS) in Gombe State and Nigeria. During the period under review, she had the responsibilities of planning, preparation, appraisal and management (including financial management, monitoring & evaluation) while in the Gender mainstreaming, it was the approach utilized to ensure that men and women have fair share of all programmes/projects, opportunities and resources. In ensuring effective gender and vulnerable groups integration in their agricultural development, She has collaborated with other international agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP and some Non-Governmental organizations, facilitating the agricultural components and assisted the communities in Needs Assessment and implementing fundable proposals.
As a subject matter Specialist, She was responsible for training of Extension Agents (both male & female) on various innovations and also supervised the activities of the Extension Agents in the field as well as served as resource person during Monthly Technological Review Meetings (MTRMs) and other relevant trainings and workshops.
The former Programme Manager has always served as a Consultant to notable NGOs; UNICEF and UNDP projects and participated in various surveys and studies, among the Notable ones was Gender Mainstreaming Studies and Adoption Rate Studies.
Other selfless services:
• State Patron, Nigeria Praise
• Chairperson, Board of Trustees of Gombe Anglican Diocese.
• Member, Mothers Union,an international Church Organisation.
Active positions held with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC):
• Chairperson, Women Committee of NLC, Gombe Chapter for 4 years.
•Stats Coordinator of Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter 8 years.
• North East Zonal Treasurer of Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Nigeria 12 years.
Community Services:
•Support widows and widowers.
•Assist people to get employment.
•Provides borehole for the community.
• Constant support of Community Development in Todi in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe.
Based on her contributions to the Church and society, the Diocese of Gombe, under Rt. Rev Cletus Ajigben Tambari nominated her for the Meritorious Award at the Silver Jubilee Anniversary on 17th November,2024.
According to the letter for the nominee signed by Ven Dr.Chukwuma Ejikeme, the Chairman Anniversary Committee and the Secretary, Anniversary Committee,Rev.Donatus Ukoha, the letter reads,” This award is given to you for your various services rendered on behalf of the diocese,We pray that by this award, you will be spurred on to do more for the Lord.May the good Lord bless you and keep strengthening you as you serve the Lord unconditionally”.
Chief Mrs Abigail Fada has traveled to Holy Land of Israel for holy Pilgrimage making it twice she visited the People’s Republic of Israel . She has also travelled to Gabon and Kenya for official assignments respectively.
Traditional Titles:
•Tauraruwar Todi
• Koliyar- Shela
Publications:
1. Anyanwu,A.C., Agwu, A E. and Musa,A P.(2001): Adoption of gender – specific innovations by women in Gombe State.A Journal of Agricultural Extension.Vol5 pp.22-29.( Published by the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria). source: http://aesonnigeria.org/ ajm/ index.php/ jae/ article/ view/274/264.
2. Languages:
Language Read SpeakWrite
English Excellent Excellent Excellent
French fair fair Fair
HausaGoodverygoodgood
TangaleGoodExcellentfair
Igbofairfairfair.
3. Knowledge of Specialised Computer Software:
• Microsoft word processing
• Microsoft PowerPoint
Married:
She is married and blessed with a son and adopted children
Her Hobbies include Reading, Cooking, Listening to fine Christian tunes and Keeping fit.
