Adamawa Paweca

01/09/2026

Adamawa PAWECA, Mata Nagari Foundation Pledge Partnership to Empower Vulnerable Girls

The Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, and the Mata Nagari Foundation have agreed to deepen collaboration to support vulnerable children and advance opportunities for the girl child in Adamawa State.

The Director-General of PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, hosted members of the foundation on a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Yola on Tuesday.

Discussions centered on joint interventions in education, skills acquisition, and social protection for poor and less-privileged children, with particular focus on girls.

Dr. Zira said investing in girls remains one of the most impactful ways to drive long-term development.

"Empowering a girl child goes beyond immediate assistance," he said. "It is about providing her with education, skills, confidence and opportunity to become self-reliant. When a girl thrives, her family and entire community benefit."

He stressed that humanitarian and development actors must prioritize humanity above religious, ethnic, or political considerations.

"Poverty and vulnerability do not recognize background," Dr. Zira added. "Every person deserves compassion and support. Tackling these challenges requires collective effort and a genuine commitment to human dignity."

The PAWECA boss commended Mata Nagari Foundation for its work in child welfare and girl-child advocacy, and expressed the agency’s readiness to explore formal partnership areas in poverty reduction, livelihood support, and empowerment programmes.

President of Mata Nagari Foundation, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar Boda, said the visit was aimed at building synergy with PAWECA to expand the reach of existing interventions for women and children.

Both parties concluded the meeting with a renewed commitment to design and implement joint programmes that create sustainable opportunities for vulnerable children and young people across the state.

The collaboration is expected to align with Adamawa State Government’s broader agenda of inclusive growth, social protection, and wealth creation.

Information and Media Unit, PAWECA

28/08/2026

The Director-General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, has called on youths undergoing vocational training in Adamawa State to embrace self-reliance, describing practical skills as the surest pathway to independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Dr. Zira made the call during an inspection tour of the Technical Skills Acquisition Centre, where he assessed the progress of ongoing training programmes and interacted with trainees and facilitators across key trades including tailoring, catering and baking, aluminium fabrication, solar panel installation, and electrical works.

Accompanied by senior management of the agency, the DG observed practical sessions and encouraged trainees to take the opportunity seriously.

He noted that skills acquisition remains central to government efforts to reduce poverty, create jobs, and drive grassroots economic growth.

"What you are learning here is more than a trade. It is freedom. It is the ability to create jobs, earn with dignity, and contribute to the development of your communities," he told the trainees.

The visit highlighted stories of transformation among beneficiaries.

Rabiat Aliyu, a trainee in the tailoring programme, said she joined the centre with no prior knowledge of measurements or garment making.

"I didn’t even know how to hold a measuring tape," she said. "Today I can sew professionally, and I believe this skill will help me build a sustainable livelihood."

She expressed appreciation to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and to PAWECA for creating the platform.

Mrs. Luti Bagula, facilitator of the catering and baking class, commended trainees for their consistency and progress in producing cakes, doughnuts, samosas and other small chops.

Trainees in aluminium works, solar installation and electrical training also shared similar testimonies, saying daily hands-on practice was equipping them with market-relevant expertise.

Participants unanimously thanked Governor Fintiri and the leadership of PAWECA for investing in practical skills development, describing the programme as an opportunity to discover and harness their potential.

The inspection reaffirmed PAWECA’s mandate to equip residents with relevant technical skills that can improve livelihoods, promote self-reliance, and support sustainable wealth creation across the Adamawa State.

Media & Information Unit, PAWECA

26/08/2026

25/08/2026

PAWECA DG Backs Tinubu, APC For 2027, Urges Shift From "Religious Politics"

The Director General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, has pledged to mobilize support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates in Adamawa in the 2027 general elections.

Dr. Zira made the commitment while hosting members of a political group, Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria, RHGN, at his office in Yola.

The DG said he would work with like-minded groups to advance the administration’s agenda, stressing the need for Nigerians to move away from what he described as “religious politics” and embrace issue-based politics anchored on policy, capacity, equity, fairness and justice.

Commending the Tinubu administration for what he called “meaningful development,” the PAWECA boss said the country requires unity and collective effort to consolidate gains, pledging to support the group in every way possible to achieve the purpose for which it was established.

Dr. Zira urged Nigerians to eschew divisive tendencies and work together to unite the country.

Earlier, the Adamawa State Coordinator of RHGN, Mrs. Lydia Michael, said the visit was to formally introduce the group to the DG and seek support for its forthcoming inauguration in the state.

Mrs. Michael explained that RHGN officials from the national headquarters are touring the 36 states to inaugurate state leadership structures ahead of 2027.

The group presented kits to Dr. Zira as a symbol of partnership as a grassroots mobilization platform aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Information and Media Unit, PAWECA

13/08/2026

45 Adamawa Youths Graduate Under Hilton Foundation’s “Thrive & Rise” Vocational Program

A nongovernmental organization, Hope and Rural Aid Foundation, HARAF, has graduated 45 youths after intensive training in various vocational and agribusiness skills at the Jibiro Livelihood Incubation Centre in Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

The graduation, held under the “Thrive & Rise” Project, is funded by the Hilton Foundation and implemented by HARAF.

The project, titled _“Building Resilient Futures for Adolescents, Youth, and Pregnant Women in Conflict-Affected Communities of Northeast Nigeria,”_ aims to equip vulnerable groups with sustainable livelihood skills.

The Cohort-One beneficiaries were trained in fishery, crop and vegetable production, poultry farming, animal production with focus on goat rearing, rice, and soya-beans farming.

According to HARAF, the graduates underwent rigorous training in modern farming techniques, enterprise development, and agribusiness to prepare them for self-employment and job creation.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, commended HARAF for aligning the project with PAWECA’s mandate of youth empowerment.

Represented by the Director of Training, PAWECA, Mr. Sydney Esthon Abubakar, Dr. Zira said the agency would continue to partner with credible organizations to train youths and reduce idleness.

He disclosed that PAWECA graciously provided one of its centres, Jibiro in Girei for the implementation of the project due to shared objectives.

The Head of Programmes at HARAF, Mr. Abel Bake, congratulated the graduates and urged them to apply the skills acquired and transfer the knowledge to others in their communities.

An overview of the project on Cohort-One achievements was presented by the Livelihood Officer, HARAF, Abiodun Kolapo.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Commissioner for Agriculture, the Local Government Chairman, and the District Head of Jabilamba, in person, Alhaji Abubakar Hamajam.

Beneficiaries Solomon Luka, trained in goat rearing, and Liatu Hassan expressed gratitude to HARAF and pledged to use the knowledge judiciously and mentor others.

The event featured interactive product exhibitions, food demonstrations, beneficiary success stories, and networking sessions designed to link graduates to markets and strengthen economic resilience.

Organizers say the graduation is meant to inspire the new entrepreneurs and deepen collaboration among stakeholders to advance sustainable livelihood development in Northeast Nigeria.

Information and Media Unit, PAWECA

10/08/2026

RE: RESPONSE TO YOUR OPEN LETTER ON PAWECA FINTIRI BUSINESS WALLET PAYMENTS

Dear PAWECA Beneficiary,

We acknowledge receipt of your Open Letter dated August 10, 2026, addressed to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the Director General of PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira.

We appreciate your tone and the confidence you expressed in the transparency of His Excellency’s administration and PAWECA’s mandate.

For clarity, please be informed as follows:

1. Payments Completed: PAWECA has paid 72,000 beneficiaries which is the total number expressly approved and earmarked for this phase of the Fintiri Business Wallet.
2. Grievance Process: In line with due process, PAWECA granted a two-week grace period for all complaints on non-payment. During this period, the agency collated complaints, corrected errors, treated failed transactions, and made subsequent payments including a final batch just this past weekend from all outstanding failed transactions.
3. Reasons for Some Non-Payments: Our findings show that some of the claims of non-payment are not accurate. Cases identified include:
a. Beneficiaries who were asked to pay 20,000 or 30,000 and refused, and later claimed non-payment.
b. Submission of fake and photocopied forms which were detected during verification and disqualified.
c. A few individuals deliberately seeking to tarnish the image of PAWECA as an agency.
4. Communication and Transparency: The claim that “no official communication was issued” is unfounded. PAWECA has consistently engaged beneficiaries and provided updates regarding the Fintiri Business Wallet. Furthermore, the full list of approved beneficiaries and the official disbursement amount have been published in the Scope Newspaper, Yola for public record.
5. Way Forward: Any genuine beneficiary whose name appears on the published list in the Scope Newspaper and is yet to receive an alert is dared to come forward to the PAWECA office with proof of identity and bank details for immediate redress.

The Fintiri administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and lifting Adamawa citizens out of poverty. PAWECA will not allow misinformation to undermine a program designed to create wealth for the people.

We thank you for bringing this to our attention and for your continued belief in this administration.

God bless Adamawa State.
God bless His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

Sincerely,
For: Management
Adamawa State Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency - PAWECA
Yola

04/08/2026

PAWECA Constitutes 9-Man Technical Committee on "Fintiri from Retirement to Wealth" Initiative

The Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, has inaugurated a Nine-Man Technical Committee to assess and cost the rollout of the "Fintiri from Retirement to Wealth" programme across Adamawa State.

The constitution of the committee follows the submission of reports by earlier teams that toured livestock centres in all 21 Local Government Areas across the three Senatorial Zones.

Announcing the move, the Director General of PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, said the committee is mandated to evaluate facilities, assess cost implications, and recommend requirements for the immediate commencement of the initiative.

He directed the committee to submit its report on or before August 20, 2026.

Dr. Zira charged the team to focus on costing key components including livestock farming, animal feeds production, and food processing — core skills targeted under the programme.

He added that the committee will revisit the earlier assessed centres to conduct a detailed evaluation of all facilities needed to kickstart the scheme.

The final report will be forwarded to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and subsequently translated into a policy document for legislative backing by the State House of Assembly to ensure continuity beyond the present administration.

The Technical Committee is chaired by Consultant, Mr. Joseph Jaryum.

The DG noted that with "Fintiri from Retirement to Wealth", Adamawa will be the first state in Nigeria to deliberately train civil servants approaching retirement and retirees with practical skills to secure livelihoods after service.

Dr. Zira urged members to be deliberate, focused, and proactive in delivering on the assignment, stressing that the initiative is critical to driving the Governor’s agenda of wealth creation and poverty reduction in the state.

Information and Media Unit, PAWECA

03/08/2026

"No More Excuses": PAWECA DG Dr. Zira Declares War on Late Coming, Rolls Out Logbook

The Director General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, has drawn the line on lateness to work, warning that the era of casual approach to duty is over.

Dr. Zira issued the warning on Monday during a staff meeting to unveil the agency’s new operational policy he personally rolled out.

He said lateness will no longer be tolerated and has introduced a time logbook to identify and appropriately redeploy habitual latecomers.

The DG clarified that he was not witch-hunting anyone, but putting them on their toes so they can deliver results, noting that the agency has serious work to do.

According to him, PAWECA’s mandate now includes aggressive Monitoring and Evaluation, M&E visits to Technical Skills Acquisition Centres, TSACs, across Adamawa State to assess ongoing student training.

To prepare staff for modern civil service demands, Dr. Zira noted that he has provided a level playing field for all, including newly posted staff, to learn computer skills — a skill he described as “non-negotiable.”

In a morale-boosting move, the DG also announced plans to provide starter packs to outstanding TSAC graduates, once resources are available, to help them start businesses and become employers of labour.

Dr. Zira charged staff to embrace discipline, productivity, and teamwork as PAWECA drives Governor Fintiri’s poverty reduction agenda.

Information and Media Unit, PAWECA

03/08/2026

PAWECA DG Dr. Zira Reaffirms Commitment to Poverty Reduction, Transparency

The Director General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to its core mandate of empowering citizens, eradicating poverty, and creating sustainable wealth in Adamawa State.

Dr. Zira made this known on Monday while receiving a delegation from a socio-cultural group, Kungiyan Taraiyan Talakawan Adamawa, KUTATA, on a courtesy visit to his office in Yola.

The DG explained that since assuming office, he has prioritized transparency and inclusivity in the implementation of PAWECA programs.

He disclosed that the distribution of Fintiri Business Wallet Forms was done without recourse to status or political affiliation, with forms randomly distributed across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state on the streets to ensure fairness.

Dr. Zira further stated that with the approval of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, he embarked on a comprehensive restructuring of the agency, whose infrastructure and operational systems were long overdue for rehabilitation.

In line with his transparency drive, he revealed that the names of all beneficiaries of the Fintiri Business Wallet Program are published in newspaper to promote accountability and public trust.

He added that PAWECA will sustain periodic Monitoring and Evaluation, M&E of the Technical Skills Acquisition Centres, TSACs, across the state as part of efforts to ensure quality training and optimal performance.

Earlier, the Chairman of KUTATA, Comrade Philip Vandi Samaniya, said the visit was to identify with the DG over his exemplary leadership and prudent management of the agency.

Comrade Samaniya described PAWECA as one of the enduring legacies of the Fintiri administration, and commended both the Governor for initiating the program and Dr. Zira for his loyalty and dedication to its success.

He pledged the group’s unflinching support to the DG’s leadership and assured that KUTATA would mobilize its members at the grassroots to key into all PAWECA initiatives so that the dividends of democracy continue to reach the common man.

Information and Media Unit.
Adamawa Paweca