By Christy Tamai
The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) has commenced a six-day training on its Community Operations Manual for successfully recruited Ward Facilitators in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots implementation and advance women’s economic empowerment.
The training, scheduled for November 9–14, 2026, is taking place at Choice Garden Event Centre, Mangu, with participants drawn from the 20 wards of the local government area to ensure inclusive representation and effective delivery of the programme at the community level.
In her welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of NFWP-SU in Plateau State, Barrister Nanret Jane Agaba, congratulated the participants on their successful completion of the recruitment exercise, urging them to demonstrate commitment, dedication and professionalism in discharging their responsibilities.
She noted that the success of the programme in Mangu would largely depend on the facilitators’ ability to engage women effectively, promote economic empowerment and support improved livelihoods at the grassroots.
Agaba emphasised that their roles would be critical to translating the programme’s objectives into tangible benefits for women across the communities.
Also speaking, the Head of Operations, NFWP-SU, Rayandy Kim Chuwang, provided an overview of the programme, explaining that it seeks to institutionalise Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and other platforms to promote women’s economic empowerment and expand access to economic opportunities, particularly for unbanked women.
Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Panglang Dafur, commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for fulfilling the state’s counterpart funding obligation, describing the commitment as a significant boost to the implementation of the programme in Plateau State.
Dafur expressed delight at the enthusiasm of the participants, describing them as the face of the programme at the grassroots. She charged them to carry out their assignments with love, patience, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.
Presentations by the State Project Coordinating Unit centred on critical provisions of the Community Operations Manual, including the Do No Harm principle, the concept and formation of Women Affinity Groups, as well as the roles and responsibilities of Ward Facilitators, among other essential operational guidelines.
The first day of the training ended with participants expressing enthusiasm and readiness to acquire the requisite knowledge and practical skills for effective programme implementation.
The six-day exercise is expected to equip the Ward Facilitators with the understanding and capacity required to mobilise women, strengthen community-based structures and advance the economic empowerment of women across Mangu Local Government Area.
