The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has commenced training of over 800 soldiers’ wives in Adamawa.

The training was in collaboration with Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) and their sister agencies, ICRISAF and USAID.

Fauziyya Garba, the NAOWA Coordinator in Adamawa, declared the training opened on Saturday in Yola.

Mrs Garba said the objective of the training was to empower women and youths in the barrack in various farming businesses.

“The training is designed to improve the nutrition needs of our children by teaching the beneficiaries how to make nutritious food.

“Also, farming, poultry production and other skills that will be learned here will provide long-term opportunities for over 800 families in the barrack,” Mrs Garba said.

In his remarks, Bassey Archibong, IITA market systems specialist, said the training was designed to empower the families of soldiers and other security operatives.

“IITA and its partners are here today because of an already existing partnership with Nigerian Army and other security formations.

“We thought that it is important for the wives of the soldiers to also experience what we are doing in the northeast,” Mr Archibong said.

The highlight of the event was the inspection of the various pavillions in which previous beneficiaries displayed items they produced.

According to some of the previous beneficiaries, the training has made them to acquire various skills which provided them with sustainable livelihood.

(NAN)