By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
A total of 723 women across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State have been empowered by the Almuhibbah Foundation, a brainchild of the wife of the state governor, Dr Aisha Bala Muhammad.
Kresnews reports that, Almuhibbah Foundation, A Non governmental organization (NGO) founded by the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajia Aisha Bala Muhammad, the aims of the Foundation is to address some pressing issues that have impact on the development of Communities, especially empowering Women and Youth through Education, Agriculture, Health initiative and Skills acquisition
Speaking at the flag-off of the Women and Youth Empowerment held recently at the Dr. Sulaiman Adamu Square Government House Bauchi, Aisha Bala Abdukadir Muhammad said her foundation Empowers over 723 Women and Youth across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.
She said one of the core missions of the foundation is to empower individuals, especially youths and women, through education, agriculture, health initiatives and skills acquisition.
Dr Aisha expressed the belief that empowerment of the communities in the state is the key to creating lasting change, stressing that “We have had the privilege of supporting more than 20,000 people in this regard.
“The businesses we are supporting today range from local catering, popcorn making, soft drink, tofu making (Awara), animal rearing, irrigation farming tools, tailoring machines, distribution of grinding machines and deep freezers, among others.”
The governor’s wife explained that the initiatives have not only provided an avenue for financial independence, but also provides a sense of hope and purpose.
She acknowledged that small businesses form the backbone of the economy, saying it is the foundation’s mission to ensure that the young people and women have the resources and knowledge they need to succeed.
She stressed the need to address the challenges that could hinder women and youth development, particularly drug abuse which, she observed, is a major concern, with many young people becoming substance abusers, sometimes leading to devastating consequences on their health, families and communities.
“The causes of drug abuse range from peer pressure, unemployment, lack of education to social isolation, leading to trauma and mental health issues, hence the foundation’s belief that prevention through education is essential.”
The first lady assured of her foundation’s commitment to providing lectures and awareness programmes to help youths and women understand the risks of drug abuse and the importance of making healthier choices in life.
Hajia Aisha revealed that, Almuhibbah Foundation provides scholarships to children from vulnerable households at the levels of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary, saying today the foundation is giving Scholarships to 41 less privileged Students at Tertiary level to the tune of Eleven Million, Seven Hundred thousand Naira.
Muhammad used this occasion to appreciate the foundation’s development partners, such as PHI, ISDB, UNFPA, Individuals and groups for their support towards ensuring the success story of Almuhibbah Foundation.
