Special Task Force Commander donates N600, 000 to IDPs
NAN-H-8
IDPs
By Martha Agas
Jos, March 17, 2017 (NAN) Maj.-Gen Rogers Nicholas, the Commander, Special Task Force (STF) on Security in Plateau has donated N600,000 as business grant to women in internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Nicholas made the donation at his investiture as honorary member of the District 9125 Rotary Club on Friday in Jos.
He said that the money would be used to provide start-up grant to women trained by the Homemakers Women Development Initiative, a Plateau-based NGO.
The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that the women were drawn from various IDP camps in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
He said that the donation would help reduce the hardship faced by the women to cater for themselves and their families.
According to him, he would use his honorary membership of the club to contribute more to humanity.
“ This award means the public is watching what we are doing. I am honoured to be part of a group of seasoned professionals serving humanity of which I am committed to contribute my quota.
“I enjoin groups to emulate Rotary Club in augmenting the efforts of government in meeting the needs of the people especially the vulnerable groups.
“I also want my officers to discharge their duties diligently so that they would also be recognised for their diligent service,’’ he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Philomina Dadu’ut, President of Rotary Club in Jos, said the STF commander was recognised because of his outstanding efforts towards restoring peace in the Plateau.
Dadu’ut said the club had given start-up grant to six women in December 2016, to enable them learn various skills and establish businesses to meet the needs of their families.
“ Rotary gave start up grants to six of these women who were empowered by the Homemakers Women Development Initiative of different skills of pastries, pomade making, spices and handmade bags amongst others.
“I want to appreciate the Commander for his kind gesture; it would definitely meet the needs of thousands of women and make them self reliant,’’ she said.
Mrs. Margaret Ahmed, Coordinator of the Homemakers Women Development Initiative, said the organisation had trained more than 1,000 women selected from IDP camps.
She said the aim was to encourage the women to be self reliant, so that they would “no longer have to queue up for relief materials again.”
Mrs Hannatu Yakubu, one of the recipients of the grant said, she had established a spices business and was able to register her children for the Senior and Junior Secondary Certificate Exams from the proceeds.
NAN reports that Rotary has seven clubs in the Plateau governed by the District 9125 Governor, who also coordinates 23 states, including the FCT. (NAN)
MAA/DOR/MZA
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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Maharazu Ahmed