ICW-CIF Trains Over 1,000 Adamawa Women in Briquettes Production to Boost Livelihoods, Combat Deforestation

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a significant move towards women’s economic empowerment and environmental sustainability, the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) in partnership with the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) has successfully trained over one thousand women on briquettes production across Adamawa State.

The training workshop, held in Hong and Mayo Belwa Local Government Areas, drew participants from various NCWS chapters across the state, as well as representatives of numerous women’s organizations and groups.

The initiative is a key component of the commitment by the National President of NCWS Nigeria, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), who hails from Adamawa State. While declaring the workshop open, Princess Azura stressed the urgent need to tackle the escalating dangers of deforestation.

“Indiscriminate felling of trees has continued to worsen environmental challenges such as climate change, desertification, soil erosion, and rising temperatures, with women and children often bearing the greatest burden,” she said.

Princess Azura highlighted the recent law enacted by the Adamawa State Government under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, which bans the cutting of trees, describing it as a timely policy that makes the adoption of alternative energy sources imperative for women across the state.

She explained that the training equips women with skills to convert locally available waste materials — including chaff, groundnut peels, sawdust, rice husks, maize stalks, dry leaves, paper waste, and charcoal dust — into environmentally friendly, cost-effective briquettes for cooking and domestic use.

“Briquettes production not only reduces dependence on firewood and protects the ecosystem, but also offers women a viable opportunity to generate income and improve their livelihoods,” the NCWS President added.

Participants received hands-on training on briquette production using simple, locally fabricated machines. A major highlight of the workshop was the presentation of briquettes production machines by Princess Azura to various NCWS state chapters to ensure sustained grassroots production.

Mr. Ishaya Adamu also delivered a presentation on empowering women and girls through sustainable tree planting initiatives.

Traditional rulers who attended the event lauded the foresight of Princess Azura, describing the training as timely and impactful, especially amid rising economic hardship and the increasing cost of cooking gas.

The monarchs commended NCWS and ICW-CIF for their commitment to providing practical, sustainable solutions that benefit families and entire communities.

Participants expressed deep appreciation to the organizers, describing the workshop as enlightening. They pledged to cascade the knowledge acquired to other women in their communities and intensify efforts toward environmental protection and economic self-reliance.

This initiative builds on Princess Azura’s earlier efforts, including a major tree planting campaign she launched in 2025 in Hong and Mayo Belwa Local Government Areas to promote afforestation in the state.