By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
As part of implementing an MoU signed between Bauchi State Agency for Sustainable Microfinance and Oxfam Nigeria, a three days intensive training for staff and management of the Agency, organised by Oxfam, has commenced in Bauchi, the State Capital.
In a welcome remark shortly before the commencement of the training, the Director General of the State Microfinance Agency Alhaji Muhammad Nura Dan’madami informed the participants that the training was part of the MoU agreed between Oxfam and the Agency for technical support and transfer of knowledge to the staff of the Agency that would serve as master trainers when the Agency starts implementation of it’s Microfinance Institution Building Program for Poverty Reduction (MIFIN) across the 20 LGA of Bauchi State.
The DG, who sounded excited, charge the participants to pay attention and learn all they could from what Oxfam would impact on them.
“As you all know, Oxfam has been implementing a community based poverty reduction model program known as Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), we are here to learn how they are successfully implementing their program with a view to adopting it for our MIFIN intervention across the entire State. I implore to please pay attention and ask questions where it is not clear to you ”, said Nura Dan’madami.
Also speaking, the State Oxfam LINE Project Coordinator, Samuel Lashom also reiterated that the training was inline of fulfilling part of the MoU Oxfam signed with the Agency.
Lashom said that for over 6 years, and with generous funding from the Global Affairs Canada, the Livelihood and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) Project has been working to stimulate a sustainable economic growth in Bauchi State through the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) formation and support, as well as financial linkages created for small farmer households.
He said that the VSLA effort have been reducing poverty and promoting food security in six (6) implementing Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Alkaleri, Tafawa Balewa, Ningi, Darazo, Gamawa and Shira of the state.
“Oxfam hopes that the training will further equip you toward the implementation of the MIFIN program in Bauchi State.
“We see the MIFIN program as a sustainability move to ensure continuity and up scaling of the VSLA program from where Oxfam LINE project stops.
Declaring the 3 days training open, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo commended Oxfam for it’s strides towards implementing part of the MoU it signed with the Bauchi State Agency for Sustainable Microfinance which he described as heart-warming.
Hammayo also lauded the effort of the State Microfinance Agency in resuscitating the activities of the agency through collaboration with international partners like Oxfam and MEDA Nigeria WAY Project.
“The MIFIN program is in line with Governor Bala Mohammed’s effort towards reducing poverty in Bauchi State and improving the economic well-being of the citizens, especially those from the rural areas”, said Hammayo.
Our correspondent reports that MIFIN Program is targeting at least 100 beneficiaries in each of 323 wards of Bauchi State.