11/10/2025
SEAD Empowers 500 Women, Launches State Executives and Products in Adamawa
By Abdulaziz Abubakar Damare
In a major step toward fostering economic self-reliance and innovation in agribusiness, the Sahel Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Development (SEAD) Nigeria has held its first induction and graduation ceremony in Yola, Adamawa State.
The landmark event featured the graduation of 500 women and Youth trained in various entrepreneurial and agricultural skills, including liquid fertilizer production, samosa and cake making, and poultry feed formulation, among others.
The ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of the Adamawa State Executive Council Members, the presentation of awards, and the launching of SEAD-branded products.
Prominent personalities decorated during the occasion included Professor Anna Mohammed Malgwi of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, who was inaugurated as the National Grand Matron, and Alhaji Usman Abubakar (Manu Ngurore), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, who was installed as Patron, Adamawa State Chapter.
In his address, Alhaji Usman Abubakar expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his commitment to women’s inclusion in governance and continuous support for women entrepreneurs through the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA).
He also commended the Adamawa State Agribusiness Support Programme (ADAS-P) for innovations that have made the state a leading hub for certified seed production.
Several distinguished individuals and partners were honored for their contributions to entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
Awardees included Dr. Michael Zira, Director-General of PAWECA; Alhaji Yunusa Ibrahim Gafai, Chief Operating Officer of ADAS-P; as well as the Vice Chairpersons of Demsa and Girei Local Government Areas, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, DG PAWECA, represented by Director of Poverty Alleviation, Salihu Abdulkadir, urged the beneficiaries to formalize their business groups by registering them officially. He assured that PAWECA would continue to support women-led enterprises in the state.
The National President of SEAD, Comrade Dr. G. K. Hassan of Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering women and youth across Nigeria.
He called on PAWECA and other stakeholders to provide the new trainees with startup capital or business kits to enable them to put their newly acquired skills to use effectively.
Beneficiaries of the training program received certificates of completion, with some, including Goodness Istifanus From Girei LGA, Aliyu Babangida from Ngurore, Yola south and Hajara Dahiru from Yola north LGA, expressing gratitude to SEAD for transforming their lives through practical empowerment and entrepreneurship training.
The event was graced by representatives of development and advocacy groups, including the Brook Initiative for Humanity and Environment, RATEI, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), among others, who commended SEAD’s efforts in advancing grassroots economic development.