Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation

By: Michael Mike

The Emir of Jiwa and Paramount Ruler of Jiwa Kingdom, Idris Musa, has welcomed a major poverty-alleviation push by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, describing it as a turning point for a community long challenged by environmental pressures and limited economic opportunities.

Speaking during a high-level engagement with officials of the World Bank-supported initiative in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the monarch said Jiwa stands ready to partner with stakeholders to translate commitments into measurable improvements in livelihoods.

“I thank you for considering my community. We have listened to your promises and we are prepared to cooperate fully to ensure successful implementation,” the Emir said.

The intervention, driven by ACReSAL’s Task Team Leader and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, Joy Iganya Agene, focuses on expanding income-generating opportunities while addressing climate-related vulnerabilities affecting semi-arid communities.

Agene explained that beyond financial support, the project is designed to build resilience through sustainable agriculture, improved infrastructure, and structured community participation.

“Our engagement with more than 30 community groups has helped us understand their priority needs,” she said. “We have identified critical concerns, including drainage challenges that must be addressed before the rainy season. We will guide the community on the steps required to begin implementation.”

She stressed transparency and collaboration as core principles of the intervention, urging community groups with overlapping objectives to consolidate efforts and develop stronger proposals capable of attracting support under the project framework.

The Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, represented by Ann Ijeoma, said ACReSAL’s footprint is already visible in several rural communities across the FCT.

According to him, the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) is empowering grassroots agricultural enterprises, while infrastructure projects—such as solar-powered boreholes, solar street lights, and improved waste management systems—are helping to raise living standards.

He called on Jiwa residents to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.

“These investments belong to the people. Protecting and maintaining them will guarantee long-term benefits,” he said.

Earlier, FCT ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Caroline Opara, disclosed that consultations in Jiwa revealed urgent needs in flood control, agricultural inputs, solar lighting, water access, and expansion of the Community Revolving Fund.

She noted that residents have been organized into Community Interest Groups (CIGs), with deliberate emphasis on inclusiveness and women’s participation—an approach aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.

“The enthusiasm shown here gives us confidence. With the World Bank team on ground, we expect to fast-track the processes needed to deliver these interventions,” Opara said.

For Jiwa, a community grappling with drainage deficiencies and limited economic diversification, the ACReSAL initiative represents more than a development project—it signals a pathway toward climate resilience and sustainable poverty reduction.

If fully implemented, stakeholders say the programme could reposition the agrarian community as a model for integrated rural development within the FCT.

Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation

Blood Donation Campaign in Gombe Targets 1,000 Pints

By Hajara Usman

The Gombe State Ministry of Health says it has set a target of 1,000 pints of blood from voluntary donors, with 250 pints already collected to help save lives.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, disclosed this during the celebration of the State Blood Donation Day in Gombe on Saturday.

He said the initiative was aimed at saving lives and addressing the persistent shortage of blood in hospitals across the state.

According to him, the donated blood will be distributed to specialist and general hospitals across the 11 Local Government Areas, as well as the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

“Coincidentally, today is Valentine’s Day, and we are celebrating it by showing love through the donation of blood.

“This humanitarian gesture will go a long way in saving lives, especially for patients in emergency situations, pregnant women, accident victims and those undergoing surgery,” Dahiru said.

He noted that access to safe blood remains a challenge for many families, particularly those who cannot afford to pay for a pint due to poverty.

The free donation drive, he explained, is designed to ensure that no life is lost due to the inability to access blood when needed.

Dr Ben Tswabki, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), who attended the event, described the initiative as laudable.

He expressed optimism that deaths resulting from blood shortages could become a thing of the past if such efforts are sustained.

“Some people cannot even afford a pint of blood because of financial constraints. With this donation campaign, many lives will be saved,” he said.

Tswabki also commended the state government and voluntary donors for their commitment.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe, Dr Manassah Jatau, described the day as a special moment to appeal to the spirit of humanity and compassion among citizens.

He called on residents to continue supporting one another through voluntary blood donation, emphasising that saving lives is a collective responsibility.

He expressed deep appreciation to all blood donors, particularly religious organisations, for their strong participation and commitment to the cause.

Jatau stressed that blood stored in the state’s blood bank is not for sale and assured the public that strict monitoring measures would be put in place, including oversight of medical personnel, to ensure transparency and accountability.

He added that the overwhelming response from donors reflects the unity and love that the people of Gombe have for one another, describing it as a powerful demonstration of community spirit and solidarity.

Blood Donation Campaign in Gombe Targets 1,000 Pints

Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

Concrete casters on Gombe State under the auspices of Gombe Concrete Casting Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd has commended Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for providing an environment conducive for their businesses to thrive.

Malam Dahiru Abdullahi, chairman of the association in the state gave the commendation in Gombe on Saturday while inaugurating the distribution of food items and clothing materials to over 3, 250 members of the association for this year’s Ramadan.
Abdullahi said that his members were now able to provide employment for youths because of the good business policies initiated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

He said that Yahaya had supported its members through project awards which he said had created jobs for countless youths in the state while reducing crime rate too.
“Some of our members have been awarded contracts which have made them busy while employing more youths; this has helped in gainfully engaging the youths while distracting them from crime and drug abuse.
“This is why we are commending our Governor for the supports and we are assuring him that we will keep supporting the government to empower more youths with jobs,” he said.
He urged the governor to continue to support his association with more contracts so that more youths could be gainfully engaged.
Abdullahi while speaking on the food items distributed said the gesture was to support its members during this year’s Ramadan and Salah celebration.
Abdullahi who is marking his one year in office as chairman, said the items were to help beneficiaries observe the fasting seamlessly.

Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries who are the vulnerable members of his association needed to be supported following the economic hardship impacting on some of his members.

He said that over 500 small bags of rice, millet would be distributed while some fabrics would be given to members for Sallah celebrations.

He said two concrete mixers and two motorcycles would also be given to assist its members.

He said that the items being distributed were worth N7.1 million.

According to him, he has also within his one year in office supported orphans, housewives, youths and other residents with different items worth N9.65 million.

On his part, Mr Adamu Inuwa Pantami, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Gombe State
who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Malam Mohammed Baba-Adamu, commended Abdullahi for empowering his members while urging other associations to take their cue from what the association is doing.

Pantami said he was happy with the association for its efforts at empowering members which he said was in line with the agenda of Gov Yahaya.

He said that the chairman had been engaging in consultation with critical stakeholders before taking decisions and “that’s why he is getting things right.”

Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe