Yarang Llamisi Foundation trains 93 women in vocational, literacy skills in Gombe

By Jamila Muhammad

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation (YLF) has graduated 93 women from its free vocational, entrepreneurship and literacy training programs in Gombe State.

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation organised the programme at Zumbuk Primary School in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area as part of its efforts to promote women empowerment and economic self-reliance.

Community leaders, civil society groups, facilitators and family members attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate the beneficiaries after months of training in various vocational and literacy skills.

In a goodwill message, the founder and chief executive officer of the foundation, Sarah Haruna Musa Moda, described the graduation as a major milestone in the organization’s commitment to supporting women and vulnerable groups through education and skill acquisition.

Ms. Moda said the initiative was organised free of charge as part of the foundation’s contribution to community development and efforts to improve women’s livelihoods in the state.

According to her, the programme was designed to equip beneficiaries with practical and income-generating skills to enable them to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

“This occasion represents a remarkable milestone in vocational, entrepreneurial and literacy achievement. It reflects the resilience, dedication, and vision that define the Yarang Llamisi Foundation community,” she said.

The founder commended the trainers, volunteers, and organisers for their support of the program’s success and urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills they acquired.

Speaking at the event, the principal of the programme, Mary Mele, said the initiative reflected the foundation’s commitment to promoting women’s education, economic empowerment and social development in Gombe State.

She explained that the beneficiaries received training in different vocational fields alongside literacy and entrepreneurial education aimed at strengthening their capacity to establish and manage small businesses.

Ms. Mele encouraged the graduates to remain focused and use the knowledge they gained during the program to improve their lives and support their communities.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Gombe State Civil Society Network, Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, commended the foundation for investing in women’s empowerment and community development.

Mr. Yusuf described the program as timely and impactful, noting that empowering women through vocational training and education would significantly contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth in the state.

The event featured the presentation of certificates to the beneficiaries amid celebrations from guests and community members.

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation has continued to implement programs focused on literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurial development as part of efforts to promote self-reliance among women and youths in Gombe State.

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Gombe Women Agenda Trains Members, Targets Stronger Political Participation

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Women in Gombe State have intensified efforts to strengthen their participation in governance, following a one-day internal capacity-building session aimed at preparing members for more active engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The training, organised by the Gombe Women Agenda (GWA), brought participants from across the state together at the NITDA Hall of Gombe State University, where discussions centred on leadership, advocacy, and strategies for improving women’s representation in decision-making processes.

Speaking during the session, the deputy chairperson of the group, Dr. Leah Iliya Jalo, stressed the need for women to recognise their value in society and step forward to take leadership roles. She noted that women remain central to societal development and must build confidence to influence governance outcomes.

“We cannot continue to remain on the sidelines. Empowerment begins with self-awareness and unity,” she said, urging participants to work collectively in advancing shared goals.

The meeting also featured a goodwill message from retired Justice Beatrice L. Iliya, who commended the initiative and described it as a significant step toward strengthening the voice of women in the state.

She called for sustained efforts to break barriers limiting women’s participation across political and socio-economic spaces.

Facilitating a key session, Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf explained that the Gombe Women Agenda is a non-partisan political movement focused on ensuring that women’s interests are prioritised regardless of party affiliations.

He emphasised the importance of holding leaders accountable and encouraged women to move beyond passive observation to active engagement in government.

According to him, the initiative is driven by concerns over the low number of female aspirants and limited political awareness among women, stressing the need for early preparation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants also stressed the importance of inclusivity, particularly the involvement of women with disabilities, and called for stronger grassroots mobilisation across the 11 local government areas of the state.

Discussions further underscored the importance of economic empowerment and skills acquisition as critical tools for enhancing women’s independence and participation in public life.

The session outlined key objectives of the agenda, including the development of a Women’s Political Charter, capacity building for female leaders and voters, and the establishment of structures to monitor political commitments to women’s issues.

In her presentation, Dr Jalo identified critical focus areas such as political under-representation, access to healthcare, economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence, noting that coordinated action is required to address systemic challenges facing women.

The meeting concluded with renewed commitment from participants, who pledged to take the message back to their communities and strengthen advocacy for inclusive governance.

The organisers described the session as a major step toward building a unified platform capable of amplifying women’s voices and influencing policy directions in Gombe State.

As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, civil society groups in Gombe State have called on political parties to take concrete steps toward improving women’s participation in governance through affirmative action and the creation of special seats.

In a joint statement, the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organizations (GONET) and the Gombe Women Agenda (GWA) urged party leaders to demonstrate commitment to inclusive politics by adopting policies that ensure women are better represented in leadership and elective positions.

The groups noted that although women make up a significant proportion of the population and contribute actively to community development, their presence in political leadership remains minimal due to systemic barriers, including cultural norms, financial constraints, and structural imbalances within party systems.

They stressed that affirmative action and special legislative seats for women should not be seen as privileges, but as necessary interventions aimed at correcting long-standing inequalities and promoting fairness in democratic participation.

According to the statement, inclusive governance cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women, warning that continued exclusion limits the quality of decision-making and development outcomes.

The organisations called on political parties to adopt measurable strategies, including allocating a defined percentage of leadership positions and candidacies to women, supporting the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill, and reserving party tickets across all levels for qualified female aspirants.

They also recommended reducing or waiving nomination fees for women to ease financial barriers, while advocating for safer and more supportive political environments that protect women from intimidation and violence.

The groups further emphasised the need for transparent and merit-based candidate selection processes that give women equal opportunities to compete.

Highlighting the broader benefits of women’s inclusion, the statement linked increased female representation to improved policymaking, stronger attention to social sectors such as education and healthcare, enhanced peacebuilding efforts, and greater public trust in democratic institutions.

GONET and GWA described the 2027 elections as a critical opportunity for political actors in Gombe State to move beyond promises and implement real reforms that reflect gender equity.

They reaffirmed their commitment to sustained advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that women are not only included in governance but are empowered to lead.

The statement was jointly signed by Ibrahim Yusuf on behalf of GONET and Dr. Leah Iliya Jalo for the Gombe Women Agenda.