By Abdu Saidu, Kano
The Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA) program recently concluded with a memorable closing ceremony at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta (ABCOAD), Kano State. The event celebrated the successful completion of training for numerous young women, showcasing the knowledge and skills they gained through exhibitions of their finished projects.
The ceremony served as a celebration of the program’s end as well as an acknowledgement of the participants’ accomplishments. The event, which included a display of the trainees’ completed projects, demonstrated the revolutionary influence of WATEA in promoting technical proficiency and an entrepreneurial mindset.
In his speech at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Kano State and Commissioner for Higher Education, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, described WATEA as a significant initiative aimed at transforming women’s involvement in agricultural technical education.
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“As a beneficiary state and one of the important stakeholders in the WATEA project, the Kano state government will continue to support this laudable initiative for the benefit of our teeming youth, especially young women, so as to empower them and make them more important members of our society,” Gwarzo stated.
Gwarzo also emphasized Kano State’s strong educational ties to France, citing programs like Campus France and Alliance Française that have made it possible for postgraduate students to study in France. He urged graduates of the program to use their newly acquired abilities to change from job searchers to job creators and make constructive contributions to society.
“I encourage you to move from being job seekers to job creators, from mere participants to ambassadors of change,” he remarked.
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More so, the Deputy Governor congratulates and wishes all the participants a successful passing out and a promising future, and also the knowledge and skills that they have earned will propel them to a greater, brighter, and successful future.
Meanwhile, Prof. M.A. Wailare, the Provost of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the program’s essence. He described WATEA as a holistic training initiative designed not just to equip participants with skills but to instill resilience, self-reliance, and transformative capabilities.
“Through this initiative, you have acquired not only technical expertise but also the confidence and determination to apply your knowledge to enhance food security, create employment opportunities, and inspire others,” Prof. Wailare remarks.
He noted that the trainees are the embodiment of hope and possibility, where the skills they have gained in areas such as sustainable farming, agro-processing, agribusiness, and modern agricultural practices are not just tools for personal growth but also for uplifting their families and communities.
In his words: “We are indeed very grateful to the French government for sponsoring the project and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for the efficient coordination of the training program.
We are equally grateful to the Kano State Government for providing the enabling environment for the training to be conducted peacefully and successfully. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the facilitators, trainers, and partners who have made this program a success. Your dedication to empowering young women and youth in agriculture is an investment in the future, and your efforts will leave a lasting legacy”.
In addition, Prof. Wailare expressed his sincere gratitude to the French government for funding the initiative, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for efficiently organizing it, and the Kano State government for fostering an atmosphere that made it possible for it to succeed.
“We also thank the facilitators and partners who brought their expertise and dedication to bear on this program. You have sown seeds of success in these young women, seeds that will grow to change lives and uplift societies,” Prof. Wailare quoted as saying.
Moreover, he enjoins the graduates, by saying that they are now the ambassadors of change, to go forth with the confidence that they have the skills and knowledge to lead. Collaborate, innovate, and inspire. The future of agriculture is now in their hands, and they shall be excited to see the impact that they will make.
Furthermore, the main attraction of the closing ceremony was the exhibition, where trainees showcased products created with their acquired skills. The exhibit showed the participants’ readiness to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, showcasing anything from advanced agricultural techniques to agro-processed goods.
Amina Yusuf, a trainee, spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates and conveyed her sincere appreciation. “This training has helped us become more competent and self-assured professionals. We’re prepared to put these lessons into practice to advance agriculture and benefit our communities,” she said.
The impact of the WATEA training program extended much beyond ABCOAD’s auditorium as it came to an end. Redefining agriculture as a field of opportunity and development for young women, the initiative is a ray of hope and change.
With its accomplishments, WATEA has created the groundwork for a new generation of agricultural leaders that are capable, self-assured, and resilient—women ready to improve their communities, influence industries, and bring about long-lasting change in Kano State and beyond.
