PROTOCOL

Compliments of the Season to our esteemed partners, participants, staff and every person present here today.

As most of us are aware, this training actually started on 29th October 2024 and ought to have been completed before now based on schedule, but couldn’t due to some circumstances beyond our control. However, we give gratitude to God Almighty, who has made it possible for us to hold the closing event to this life-changing training today. I have no doubt, our dear 55 participants have all benefitted immensely, and learnt a lot during the four weeks long practical training course. I equally believe that you can now be able to put the knowledge and skills acquired to immediate and long term usage, with little or no supervision.

As I had stated in my message during the flag-off ceremony, it is one of the cardinal policies of my Administration to improve the fortunes of the Council and our people through agriculture, which is their major occupation. Moreso, the objective of holding this practical training is to: provide our farmers and youths good opportunity to diversify into banana and plantain farming; train and equip them with the skills and knowledge of macro-propagation techniques to enable them obtain more planting materials at less cost, increase yields, reduce diseases transmission and preserve genetic diversity of the crops; and importantly, make Abaji Area Council a leading producer of banana and plantain in Nigeria.

To our esteemed partners and trainers, I trust that the path to achieving this noble objective has been laid during the four weeks long practical training. Let me assure you that my Council is ever willing and ready to partner with you in providing life-changing trainings and opportunities to our people in all other fields/areas, you can offer.

And to our graduates of the program, have you all learnt the techniques with your whole hearts and ready to replicate it when you returned back to your various communities? Let me remind you that, you are the first set of beneficiary of this wonderful program in the whole of FCT, if I am not mistaken. What an opportunity! Congratulations! I wish to plead with you not to let this invaluable knowledge and skills you have acquired go to waste, please.

On the part of my Administration, we are committed to supporting you in putting your knowledge and skills to productive use back home. On this note, an empowerment and take-off grant of N100,000.00 is hereby approved for each graduate certificated here today, to kick-start your respective banana and plantain farms. But, take note, Council shall reserve the right to monitor the judicious utilization of the grant, and the progress of your respective farms, accordingly.

Once again, I wish all of us a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Thank you.

PC Gidi Balugi

Abu Nigeria CPS to the Executive Chairman AAC ✌️