Women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kano were on Wednesday trained on plastic waste recycling and empowered with tools and cash support as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and improve livelihoods among vulnerable groups.

The training, organised by SFC Training Academy in partnership with the Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim Foundation, Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative, and Dube Charity Foundation, focused on turning plastic waste into economic opportunities for women, widows and persons living with disabilities.

Speaking during the event, the Coordinator of SFC Training Academy, Dr. Sani Hussaini, said the initiative was designed to integrate persons with disabilities into the circular economy through practical recycling skills.

According to him, many people living with disabilities are often excluded from empowerment programmes despite their potential to contribute meaningfully to society.

“We are here today to train participants on waste-to-wealth initiatives. These participants are largely drawn from persons with disabilities because they have often been left behind in many programmes,” he said.

Dr. Hussaini explained that the organisers secured support from partners and sponsors, including the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, who sponsored participants with working tools and financial support.

“He provided weighing scales, hand gloves, face masks, reflective vests and also donated N20,000 cash support to each participant. This gesture is highly commendable and the participants are very happy,” he added.

He noted that although the organisers initially planned for about 70 beneficiaries, over 135 people turned up for the training, describing the response as encouraging.

The coordinator further revealed that the academy plans to establish a database of participants and support the best-performing beneficiaries by enrolling their children back in school.

He added that the organisers also intend to connect participants with companies such as Coca-Cola to enable them combine recycling with small-scale beverage businesses for sustainable income generation.

Dr. Hussaini said the initiative was also aimed at addressing economic hardship by providing vulnerable persons with alternative means of livelihood.

“If someone can sell just a few packs of water daily and retain the plastic bottles for recycling, they can earn a sustainable income monthly. This can significantly improve their standard of living,” he said.

He added that the academy was established to equip youths and vulnerable persons with practical skills in cleaning, recycling, pest control and waste management.

“We want to take youths off the streets by providing this kind of training. We are calling on meaningful individuals and organisations to partner with us so that we can scale up these interventions,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the founder of the Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim Foundation, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Muhammad Nazir Zakari described the initiative as timely and impactful.

He said the training was particularly important because it targeted persons with special needs drawn from different communities and equipped them with skills and empowerment support to start small businesses and sustain themselves.

“The training and empowerment will help them to start businesses and become self-reliant. This is not the first time the foundation has supported initiatives like this,” he said.

Zakari expressed excitement over the turnout of participants, noting that the gathering reflected growing awareness among persons with disabilities about opportunities for self-development and economic empowerment.

He commended Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim for his commitment to environmental sustainability, social inclusion and improving the lives of vulnerable people through consistent support for empowerment programmes.

Also speaking, the Director of Persons with Special Needs at the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Binta Bala, described the programme as a laudable initiative capable of reducing hardship and promoting inclusion.

“To be sincere, this is a very good initiative. If properly utilised, it will reduce hardship, create jobs and strengthen inclusion of persons with disabilities in society,” she said.

Dr. Bala stated that economic empowerment helps reduce discrimination against persons with disabilities by enabling them to participate actively in community life.

“When your economy is balanced, you can freely mingle with anyone. Nobody will stigmatise or discriminate against you,” she added.

She noted that the Kano State Government had introduced several laws and policies to support the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities, including empowerment and advocacy programmes.

The director recalled that the ministry recently collaborated with a development partner to train 169 women on recycling and waste-to-wealth initiatives, including 26 women with disabilities who were supported with starter packs and financial inclusion services.

In his remarks, Mustapha Usman, a coordinator with the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative and member of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, expressed appreciation to the organisers.

“This is something very tangible that we have rarely seen in our community. It is an empowerment that can make people with special needs self-reliant and successful,” he said.

He prayed for continued support for organisations and individuals working to uplift vulnerable persons in society.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, succeeding Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose tenure expires on July 31, 2026.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Aina is a professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with expertise in digital infrastructure, national examination systems and institutional reforms.

“Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.

“He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School,” the statement read.

The statement added that Aina has over 15 years of professional experience advising federal and state governments on digital transition, institutional reforms and system design.

It also described him as one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in Computer Engineering, noting that he would become the youngest registrar in JAMB’s history.

The Presidency said Aina had previously worked as a consultant to examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board on ICT systems and examination integrity.

“He is also a member of professional organisations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology,” the statement added.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the new registrar would build on the achievements recorded under Oloyede’s administration.

“President Tinubu expects Professor Aina to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the Board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor,” the statement added.

There were celebrations on Wednesday as Dangote Cement Plc flagged off three multi-million-naira empowerment programmes for farmers, women and youths in its six host communities in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Women sang and danced, farmers applauded and youth groups cheered as the company announced a new round of support aimed at helping beneficiaries expand their businesses, improve agricultural productivity and acquire vocational skills.

The programme will benefit residents of Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers communities in Benue State.

Under the scheme, 150 women will receive cash grants to support their businesses, 52 farmers will be provided with agricultural inputs, and 30 young people will undergo skills development training.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, commended the Dangote Group for the new feat, and sustained investments in the development of its host communities.

Represented at the event by Mrs. Usman Adijatu, the minister said the Federal Government is proud of the significant social and economic contributions of Dangote Cement Plc in Benue State and across Nigeria.

He noted that the company’s community-focused interventions complement the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth, reduce poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in mining and industrial host communities.
Dr. Alake urged the beneficiaries to make prudent and productive use of the agricultural inputs, cash grants and vocational training opportunities provided by Dangote Cement, stressing that the support should serve as a springboard for long-term economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Also speaking, the Head of Social Performance, Pan-African Operations, at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, developed jointly by the company, government and host communities under the Community Development Agreement(CDA)framework.

He described the six host communities as peaceful and supportive, and urged them to sustain the harmonious relationship that has enabled the successful implementation of numerous development programmes.

Mr. Olayiwola also commended members of the CDA Consultative Committee for conducting a transparent and credible beneficiary selection process, noting that their diligence had helped ensure that the interventions reached deserving members of the communities.

The Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Engr. Abhijit Dutta, said the initiative is part of the company’s efforts to improve livelihoods in communities where it operates.

He said the company sees its host communities as partners and believes business growth should go hand in hand with community development.

“Our host communities are not just neighbours; they are valued partners in progress,” he said.

Mr. Dutta said the programme is part of a five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) that began in 2025 and is intended to ensure that all six communities benefit from the company’s social investment programmes.

He said the interventions were designed to promote self-reliance, reduce poverty and create sustainable economic opportunities.

According to him, the company will also launch a scholarship scheme for students from the host communities in the coming months.

Mr. Dutta said the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, is committed to improving the welfare of communities hosting the Group’s operations.

He noted that more than 230 people benefitted from similar programmes last year and said the company plans to continue the initiative throughout the duration of the current CDA.

Mr. Dutta also said several projects under the agreement are already in progress and that all outstanding projects are expected to be completed this year.

He urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly, especially the women receiving cash grants, and to invest the funds in their businesses.

The company thanked community leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups for maintaining peaceful relations with the plant, saying continued cooperation would help sustain development and shared prosperity in the area.

The Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Dr. Johnson Kor, said the company operates a broad range of community development and empowerment initiatives designed to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of its host communities.

Also speaking at the event, the paramount ruler of the Gboko communities, the Ter Gboko, HRH Gabriel Shosum, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained commitment to the welfare and development of his people, describing the company’s interventions as both impactful and commendable.

He assured the company of the continued goodwill and cooperation of the host communities, noting that they would remain strong ambassadors of Dangote Cement.

The royal father also urged community members to maintain peace and continue supporting the company so that they can derive even greater benefits from its social investment initiatives.

The company had said earlier that the selected youths will be trained by the Industrial Training Fund(ITF).