BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has taken a step towards tackling youth unemployment and promoting sustainable energy solutions in Borno State.
The commission has distributed briquette-making machines to newly trained youth, empowering them to become entrepreneurs in the growing green energy sector.
At a ceremony held on Monday at the NEDC headquarters in Maiduguri, MD/CEO Mohammed Goni Alkali presented the machines, emphasizing the commission's commitment to equipping young people with practical skills and resources for self-reliance and regional economic growth.
The beneficiaries, recent graduates of NEDC's comprehensive briquette production training program, are now equipped to transform their skills into viable livelihoods.
Alkali said these machines serve as a gateway to entrepreneurial opportunities, enabling young people to establish sustainable businesses within the green energy sector.
Briquette machines represent a transformative technology, converting waste biomass into high-quality briquettes—a cleaner and more efficient alternative to polluting fossil fuels.
This initiative aligns with global efforts to combat climate change by promoting renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on carbon-intensive fuels, and contributing to environmental preservation.
The impact extends far beyond environmental benefits, fostering local briquette production, and reducing dependence on costly and environmentally damaging traditional fuels. This creates fertile ground for entrepreneurship among the trained youth, driving economic diversification and self-sufficiency.