Muhammad Alabira, Dutse
Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi has promised that his administration will continue to support policies and partnerships that promote clean energy adoption, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.
Namadi also pledged to scale up the Waste to Wealth Initiative to more political wards across the state, citing the success of its pilot phase in driving clean energy adoption, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.
The Governor stated this during a Media Launch and Policy Engagement event for the Jigawa cooking Initiative held in Baranda Community area of Dutse local government area of the State.
However, the initiative, under the Waste to Wealth project, was organized by the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), funded by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and implemented by the Exceptional Leadership and Integrity Promotion Initiative (ELIP-Initiative).
“As a government, we are encouraged by the success of this pilot, and I am pleased to announce our commitment to scaling up this initiative across other political wards in the State.
” It is our resolve to attract private sector participation in our green growth agenda by leveraging the climate financing tools promoted by the PACE program,”
To all the beneficiaries of this initiative, I implore you to seize this rare opportunity to create a sustainable livelihood for your household and lasting impact in your communities,” he added.
Namadi further commended FCDO, PACE, and ELIP for the intervention and urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired for sustainable development.
Project Manager of the ELIP Waste to Wealth Initiative, Comrade Isah Mustapha, described the project as a direct response to inefficient waste management, environmental degradation, climate change, and unemployment among women and youth.
He said the project converts waste into clean energy products such as briquettes and energy-efficient cookstoves, proving that waste can be transformed into value.
“We invested in building the technical capacity of community members, training them in briquette production and the fabrication of clean cookstoves using locally available materials and affordable technologies,” Isah explained.
According to Comrade Mustapha, six community-based production centres have been established across three pilot Local Government Areas: Baranda and Sakwaya in Dutse LGA, Kiri Kasamma and Turabu in Kiri Kasamma LGA, and Ringim and Dabi in Ringim LGA.
“Over 120 participants, predominantly women and youth, have been trained and empowered with practical skills in briquette production and clean cookIng stove fabrication.
“The centres are now fully functional, equipped with tools and starter kits, and managed by organized groups and cooperatives.
“Beneficiaries are no longer just trainees, they are emerging entrepreneurs and contributors to a growing green economy,” he said.
The National Team Leader for FCDO-PACE, Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, said the project shows how community partnership, government leadership, and private sector participation can address climate vulnerabilities in a practical and scalable way.
He also noted that the expected impact includes reducing emissions, tackling deforestation and flooding, and sustaining livelihoods.
Ugwuoke added that PACE has supported systematic climate governance reforms in Jigawa State, with expectations that the frameworks and partnerships will deepen climate action, create green jobs, strengthen resilience, and accelerate sustainable economic development in the state.
