NEDC distributes starter packs to 20 trainees in Bauchi

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has distributed starter packs to 20 beneficiaries trained in the fabrication of energy-efficient stoves and the production of briquettes in Bauchi State.

The distribution, which took place on Thursday, was part of the commission’s efforts to promote youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and economic self-reliance in the North-East.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Isyaku, said the equipment was provided to help the beneficiaries establish businesses, generate income and create employment opportunities.

He said the beneficiaries underwent the training in 2023 and 2024, urging them to make effective use of the equipment to improve their livelihoods.

Isyaku highlighted the business potential of fabricating energy-efficient stoves and producing briquettes, noting that the ventures could provide alternative sources of income while helping to protect the environment.

He said the adoption of briquettes and energy-efficient stoves could reduce dependence on firewood, thereby helping to curb deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the NEDC’s mandate to promote sustainable development across the North-East. He added that the commission was willing to support similar interventions based on beneficiaries’ commitment and measurable results.

The coordinator described the distribution as an investment in youth empowerment, green enterprise development and improved livelihoods.

He also emphasised the need to monitor the beneficiaries’ activities, provide technical guidance and assess their businesses to ensure the equipment was properly utilised and the objectives of the intervention achieved.

Another commission official, Alhaji Modu Ali, urged the beneficiaries to heed the coordinator’s advice, noting that entrepreneurship and self-reliance were important to achieving sustainable livelihoods and personal development.

Similarly, Sulaiman Ibrahim, an official of the commission, advised the beneficiaries to use the starter packs strictly for their intended purposes.

He assured them of continued monitoring and warned against selling or abandoning the equipment, saying such actions could undermine the objectives of the intervention and attract sanctions.

In his remarks, Lawal Saidu advised beneficiaries who might have other commitments to consider involving younger relatives or trusted business partners rather than abandoning the opportunity.

He urged them to diversify their income sources, build business partnerships and ensure the intervention translated into lasting economic benefits.

Some beneficiaries, including Ibrahim Abubakar and Naimatu Kabir, thanked the commission for providing them with the opportunity to establish businesses and improve their livelihoods.

They said the initiative could benefit them individually while contributing to economic development, environmental protection and job creation in Bauchi State.

Kabir said the training in briquette production would enable beneficiaries to create employment opportunities in their communities, particularly for young people and women.

She said indiscriminate tree felling was damaging the environment and expressed optimism that promoting alternative fuel production could help tackle deforestation and global warming.

According to her, briquettes made from waste materials could serve as an alternative to conventional charcoal, reducing the need to cut down trees for fuel.

She added that the skills acquired during the training had equipped her to train other young people and potentially employ workers as her business expanded.

The beneficiaries expressed hope that the intervention would help them establish sustainable businesses, support their families and contribute to economic development in Bauchi State and Nigeria.