Mrs Hafsat Kollere-Buni, wife of the Governor of Yobe State, said the desire to initiate her NGO, the MA’ARUF foundation was to support the educational needs of women and children of Yobe.
Kollere-Buni was speaking on Saturday during the inauguration and Fund rising dinner of the foundation at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
”My hope is to see no child on the street, is to see no child hungry, is to see every child in school so that we prosper, we develop in our country and a nation as a whole” she said.
The founder of MA’ARUF also said the concept of giving to those in need was prompted by all social systems.
According to her, people become poor and vulnerable mainly due to reasons beyond their control.
She therefore said her foundation would embark on humanitarian services to complement government efforts in the state to tackle both education, economic and social problems.
She said that women and children of Yobe were the main target of her foundation considering the ratio of school enrolment.
” We at MA’ARUF Foundation have done our bit in different sectors without fanfare, we provided foodstuff, healthcare assistance, provide access to water and developmental advocacy.
” We trained victims of insurgency in different skills and entrepreneurship as well as relocated them back to their communities.
” They are also being supported with conditional cash-transfer while prioritising the health and education of their children, ” she said.
While urging the participants to donate generously to the course of the less privilege, Kollere-Buni expressed her determination to continue in the quest to support the less privileged families in Yobe.
” We will train them to develop skills and small businesses and medical outreach to treat common ailments and provide educational services to support the students as well as improve the quality of teachers” she said.
She, however, said that the challenges are huge hence the need for well meaning Nigerians to donate and support the less privilege.
”MA’ARUF Foundation, despite its wide outreach has made less than the required impact due to the size of the challenge.
“The deficit is huge and requires longer, stronger and warmer arms. It is at this point that I inform you that your services and support are required in Yobe state.
”We need your attention in the provision of food and essential commodities, we need your goodwill, which is the meaning of MA’ARUF,” she said.
Speakers at the event including Nigeria Governor’s wives Forum, Emirs of Zaria, Bichi and the representative of the Sultan of Sokoto were unanimous on the need for stakeholders to support the course of women and children in the society.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria