October 14, 2024

WOFAN commissions centre for women, persons with disabilities, others

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The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Women’s Centre and a marketing hub for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kudai, Jigawa State. 

The event which coincided with the 2024 World Peace Day also marked the launch of a solar-powered water project aimed at transforming the lives of over 500,000 households across Kudai and its neighbouring communities.

The new facilities, including the Women’s Centre, which is equipped with advanced rice parboiling and milling equipment, and a fully operational marketing hub for PWDs, are part of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation. 

The project is designed to provide sustainable employment opportunities for youth, women, and individuals with disabilities, aged 18 to 35, across ten Nigerian states, including Jigawa.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the Executive Director/Founder of WOFAN, Hajia Salamatu Garba emphasised that it responds to the heart-wrenching call from Ahmadu Yakubu, a young man with a severe disability who, despite his circumstances, strives to earn a living rather than resort to street begging. 

Inspired by his resilience, Garba noted that  WOFAN has expanded its efforts to support the wider community, providing essential resources and opportunities.

“The new solar-powered water project, featuring 12 water points across Kudai and neighbouring areas, will address the longstanding water needs of the community, which has relied on a deteriorating open well for over a century,” Hajia Salamatu stated.

 The project also includes the distribution of 24 tricycle carriers, each worth ₦3 million, to agro-commodity loaders and transporters, as well as hand-operated tricycles for 40 individuals with limited mobility.

The ceremony was graced by His Highness, the Emir of Dutse, who led the commissioning of the solar-powered borehole, a vital resource valued at ₦18 million, aimed at supporting community vegetable gardening and orchard development.

The initiative also sees the launch of five additional Women’s Centres in Aujara, Yakasawa, Taraya, Gunka, and Damatawa. Each centre is equipped with essential facilities, including seating arrangements, water points, and machinery for food processing. 

The centres will receive startup capital and resources to boost local agro-businesses, particularly in light of current challenges surrounding food security in the nation.

This comprehensive intervention is set to empower 57,500 young individuals with disabilities and 9,000 young agro-loaders and transporters across the targeted states. 

This, she said, reflects WOFAN’s commitment to fostering community growth and inclusivity, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or social status.

“The WOFAN-ICON2 Project is a five-year initiative dedicated to generating decent and sustainable employment opportunities for youth, particularly women and persons with disabilities, aged 18 to 35. This effort is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to enhance the quality of life for young participants across ten Nigerian states. Jigawa State is proud to be one of those states, as we enter the second year of project implementation.

“Today, we are glad to announce our commitment to empowering approximately 57,500 young individuals with disabilities (PWD) and 9,000 young agro-loaders and transporters across our targeted states in Nigeria  happening concurrently to mark the 2024 world peace day

“Here in Jigawa State, we are undertaking the following initiative to include commissioning Six Women’s Centres – all similar to the one we are commissioning in Kudai today. These six centres are located in Aujara, Yakasawa, Taraya, Gunka, Damatawa, and Kudai. They are fully equipped with seating facilities, water points, rice parboiling equipment, hammer mills for grinding cereals and producing flour, rice destoners, and rice polishers. 

“Each centre will also benefit from two sets of 1115 motor engines and a startup capital of ₦1,500,000 to facilitate food processing, particularly crucial given the current challenges surrounding food security in our nation. In kudai the center will receive N1,800,000 because they have 6 groups in their cluster.

“Today, we will distribute 24 additional tricycle carriers, each valued at ₦3 million, to our clusters of agro-commodity loaders and transporters who have diligently saved up to ₦450,000 in their accounts. Additionally, 40 individuals with limited mobility will receive hand-operated tricycles, enhancing their mobility and enabling them to engage actively in their daily pursuits with dignity.

“Through our efforts, we aim to create a culture of peace and economic empowerment, promoting sustainable development and self-reliance in our communities,” Garba added.