From Umar Dankano,Yola.
European Union in collaboration with OXFAM and CRUDAN have conducted an intensive capacity building training to field officers and supervisors on modern methodologies for improved food security and financial development in Adamawa state.
Mr.Johnbosco Abazie, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Social Accountability Officer in charge of OXFAM said, the training for the rural farmers is part of the Organisation’s new project undertaken in Adamawa and Kebbi states tagged OXFAM strengthening active citizenship and systems for improved service delivery “OSAID”.
Abazie explained that the project is an offspring of the EU-PROACT project for Northern Nigeria which dwells on food security, livelihood and resilience and was concluded in August 2021.
Abazie stated that the training funded by the EU is being conducted in seven (7) replicating local government areas of Maiha, Hong, Mayo-belwa Fufore, Gombi, Numan and Song specifically for members of the village savings and loans Associations (VSLAs).
He added that the trained field officers and supervisors will step down the take aways by forming apex groups called Village savings and loans federation (VSLF) which will collect 5-10 VSLA’s purposely to create result-oriented procedures in reviewing and implementing policies that can improve the lives of rural farmers.
He noted that the training which is on methodology strategies to improve financial capacities was targeted for the field officers and supervisors who will in turn step it down to village savings and loans Association members in various communities in the 7 replicating council areas respectively.
“OSAID is an offspring of PROACT project which is an EU funded project for Northern Nigeria which was implemented in Adamawa and Kebbi states which elapsed in August 2021 leaving excess funds worth N434 million.
“OXFAM and its partners were able to get excess money (funds) using a revolving scheme and applied for the utilization which EU approved, we now used it to formed OSAID for improved service delivery in Adamawa and Kebbi states.
“We want to primarily strengthen structures and systems that have been stagnant or inefficient within the state and make active so that more people can benefit for their livelihood and health.
“We are bringing players from different disciplines with active capacities and special skills to assist in injecting workable policies for improved service delivery in our communities,” Abazie added.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony of the training in Song Local government area on Friday, Alhaji Kabiru Hammanjoda, Director of Agriculture and Natural resources of the council expressed gratitude to EU and its implementation partners for the gesture.
Hammanjoda said the training will definitely go a long way in boosting agricultural and financial developments of their people noting that its replicating effect would expand the scope in their rural communities.
Hammanjoda charged the participants to be good ambassadors of the local government with a view to making sure the gospel is taken to the targeted areas.
In their separate responses as participants in the training, Esther Stephen of Salasa Tsuntu ward and Gayawan Silvanus of Dumne-Za ward in Song local government Area pledged to be worthy ambassadors by making sure their people reap the dividends of the workshop.
They expressed appreciation to the organisers of the training saying that their knowledge has been broadened promising to adopt ways that will ensure the success of the project in the communities for encouraging self resilience.
Our Correspondent in Yola reported that fifteen (15) participants including ten (10) field officers and five (5) supervisors selected out of the eleven (11) wards attended the training held in Song local government area from February 21 to March 5, 2022.
