NEWMAP-EIB Nasarawa Strengthens Staff Capacity with Step-Down Training in Lafia
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa.
Following the successful completion of a three-day intensive induction and capacity-building retreat on the NEWMAP-EIB Project Take-Off, held at the Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, from October 1st to 3rd, 2025, the Nasarawa State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project-European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB) organized a one-day step-down training for its staff in Lafia on Wednesday.
The training, held at the NEWMAP-EIB State Office, aimed to cascade the knowledge and key outcomes from the Abuja retreat to all project staff, ensuring a shared understanding and effective implementation of project objectives in Nasarawa State.
In a statement by Ishaq Abubakar Ibrahim, Environmental Safeguard Officer/Senior Technical Assistant to the Project Coordinator, the event of the meeting. Attendees included the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Margaret Elayo, who also serves as the Chairperson of the State Steering Committee, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Technical Steering Committee, alongside all members of the project management team.
Declaring the session open, Commissioner Elayo commended the efforts of the project team and reiterated the commitment of the state government to ensuring environmental sustainability and effective erosion control interventions across the state. She emphasized that the NEWMAP-EIB initiative presents a critical opportunity to tackle ecological challenges that have long affected several communities in Nasarawa.
The Permanent Secretary, in his remarks, urged staff to demonstrate professionalism, dedication, and teamwork in the execution of project activities, stressing that the success of NEWMAP-EIB in Nasarawa State depends largely on the collective efforts and synergy of all stakeholders.
During the training, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Ismail, PhD, commended the commitment of staff and highlighted the importance of internal capacity building for a smooth project take-off.
He charged all team members to be proactive, result-oriented, and to uphold transparency and accountability in their various assignments.
Dr. Ismail disclosed that arrangements were already underway to commence an assessment tour of all identified erosion and watershed sites across the state, as part of the preparatory activities toward full project implementation.
Key officers of the project, including the Project Engineer, Environmental Safeguard Officer, Social Livelihoods Officer, Accountant, Head of Human Resources, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Procurement Officer, and Communication Officer, each made detailed presentations on their respective roles and responsibilities within the project framework.
In his closing remarks, the Project Coordinator expressed appreciation to all speakers for their insightful contributions and reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to delivering on its mandate of environmental restoration, watershed protection, and improved livelihoods for affected communities.
The training session was both interactive and informative, setting the tone for enhanced collaboration and effective project execution as the Nasarawa State NEWMAP-EIB unit prepares to roll out its activities.
