Oxfam praises Shira LG boss for constructing business incubation center in Yana

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Samuel Luka, Bauchi

A Non Governmental organization implementing projects in Six local government areas of Bauchi state, Oxfam LINE project has commended the Executive Chairman of Shira, Hon. Muhammadu Abba for constructing a business incubation Center (BIC) in Yana, the headquarters of Shira local government area.

Speakings during the handing over ceremony of the center to Oxfam Livelihood and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) project on Thursday, Project Coordinator of the Organization, Mr Lashom described the effort as a good commitment on the part of the chairman which need to be emulated by others.

According to him, the establishment of the business incubation center is going to improve the living standard of Shira people, adding that the structure was aimed at complementing the numerous intervention of Oxfam LINE project in Shira local government which the Chairman has been part of, from inception.

Mr. Lashom further explained that the building of the befitting business incubation (BIC) was conceived some time ago when the Chairman visited where Oxfam was occupying which he felt was not conducive.

“I am happy that today, we are all here to witness this big event, the handing over ceremony of an ultra modern business center built by the Hon. Chairman from the meagre resources of the Local Government”, the Project Coordinator said.

Mr. Samuel Lashom described the effort of the local government chairman as a clear demonstration of commitment he has towards the project, averred that such collaboration is what his Organization needed.

“As development partners we want to see the duty bearers both at the LG level taking responsibility, taking ownership of this project and with this effort, I see a great future for Shira local government because this is a clear indication of sustainability of critical components of LINE project”, Mr. Lashom stressed.

The project coordinator who said that the Line project is being implemented in six LGAs of Alkaleri, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Ningi, Shira and Gamawa, explained that the action of Hon. Muhammadu Abba need to be emulated by the rest of the LGAs.

“I enjoin every local government chairman in the state to emulate what Shira local government Chairman has done. Go to Shira and see what the chairman has done and learn from him to do what he has done”, Lashom said.

Mr. Lashom who noted that the project has impacted positively in the lives of the beneficiaries, expressed optimisms that with the new center in place, the project is going to witness sustainability.

“That means the local government has shown the commitment and capacity to take up the project from where we are going to stop and there is no other example to demonstrate sustainability than what Shira local government has done”, he said.

Mr. Lashom who said the representatives of Global Affairs Canada were with Oxfam Line project in Shira during the handing over ceremony of center, noted that their comments were full of gratitude and commendation to the Chairman for the effort.

The Coordinator who said that initial period of the project was five years before it was increased to seven, added that they have worked in 360 communities across the six LGs whare the project is being implemented.

He said despite the fact that the project is coming to an end, the Organization has been able to establish relationship and structures both with local implementing partners and the duty bearers such that the project will continue to thrive, sustained and replicated.

Mr. Lashom advised the beneficiaries of the project to continue to support the people that will take over from the Organization by adopting all the workable models of the project and share the skills with others so that their lives can also be better.

Earlier speaking, the Executive Chairman of the local government, Hon. Muhammadu Abba said he was motivated by the impact of Oxfam LINE project in his domain to build a befitting business incubation center (BIC) in the area.

“I built the center in consideration of the impact of Oxfam LINE project in both towns and remote areas of Shira local government in an effort to pull my people out of poverty and reduce youth restiveness”, the Chairman said.

Hon. Abba who stated that the construction of the center was to complement the effort of Governor Bala Mohammed of the state in delivering the required dividends of democracy to the people, added that the effort was aimed at emulating the leadership style of the Governor which is driven by passion and zeal to help his people.

“What I am doing in Shira is a way of emulating His Excellency, the executive Governor of our dear state, Sen. Bala Mohammed Kauran Bauchi who has been so passionate about the development of the state and the wellbeing of the citizens”, Hon. Abba said.

The Chairman who thanked the Oxfam for doing a lot in the local government, explained that their activities have brought out a lot of people from poverty not only in Shira but the other five local governments the project is being implemented.

“I constructed the center to serve as an encouragement to the Oxfam and to show appreciation to what they are doing in my local government. We want the legacy they will leave behind to be sustained in Shira because they have done a lot for the people and I feel that the center is going to serve as a meeting point of trainers and the trainees”, Hon. Abba said.

Highlights of the occasion was presentation of cultural sovenier to Global Affairs Canada representative.