…Praises GEI’s initiative
From Umar Danladi Ado,Sokoto
In Sokoto,100 vulnerable women in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Sokoto State have received support to start businesses through an empowerment program led by the Gender Educators Initiative (GEI) and the Action Against Hunger for the Vulnerable.
This initiative aims to provide sustainable livelihoods and foster self-reliance among women affected by conflict and displacement, who are often among the most vulnerable members of the community.
The founders of GEI and ACAFV, Rosemary Ameh and Hajiya Shafa’atu Suleiman, stated this while inaugurating the first phase of 50 beneficiaries from Ramin Kura IDP in Sokoto metropolis.
Suleiman said the gesture was part of an effort between GEI and ACAFV to provide succour to vulnerable women in IDP camps resulting from security challenges bedeviling some parts of the state.
The event was organized to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism 2025: Women Days of Empowerment Programme “Micro Business Support For 100 Vulnerable Women from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Sokoto” as part of its activities.
She noted that assisting people is part of her fashion; to assist vulnerable women was what motivated her to provide succour to her fellow women.
She stated that doing something, no matter how little, will go a long way in empowering women and bringing the vulnerable closer.
“Looking at cases of gender violence, many women face financial violence as a result of not being financially capable. So, we think if we can empower them with little business grants, at least they can be financially stable,” she said.
She noted that empowering women is a way of cutting gender-based violence.
Suleiman expressed optimism that the beneficiaries will make the best of the assistance, as experts on various business skills have taught them methods on how to make effective use of the funds.
She noted that, coupled with what they were taught, they believe the beneficiaries will do what is expected.
“As a way of following up, from time to time, we will be visiting them to see how they are managing the funds,” she said.
Apart from that, there is also an agreement between our organisations and beneficiaries that they will ensure everything is used in accordance with what it was meant for.
In his remarks, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar Dingyadi called on the federal and Sokoto State governments to explore more avenues toward assisting vulnerable people to alleviate the hardship being encountered by IDPs.
Dingyadi also urged community members to assist vulnerable people, adding that he is currently sponsoring the education and feeding of over 20 orphans within Gidan Akwai area.
He noted the efforts of GEI, especially in providing start-up business support to vulnerable people, and appealed to them to expand the number of beneficiaries from 100 to 200.
Others who spoke at the event, including the National Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Haji Rabi Gwadabawa, pledged to partner with GEI toward achieving its set goals.
Personnel who attended the event included the NAWOJ chairperson, Sokoto State, and Secretary of the Chapter, officials of NAPTIP, and human rights groups.