Yunusa Bunu & Usman Mohammed
The Muslim Ummah of Ruxton Road Mosque under the platform of Bureau for Islamic Education Lagos in conjunction with North East Youth Initiative Forum, (NEYIF), donated empowerment tools and equipment to internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The donations were made to displaced persons living in the host community.
The event which took place at Barwee Hotel, Maiduguri, was attended by stakeholders from different sectors of the community.
Donations of cash and equipment such as water pumps, sewing machines, etcetera, were made to 137 IDPs.
The vice chairman of Bureau for Islamic Education, Alh. Muhammad Inuwa Baba, speaking to these reporters, said he was sent by his people to convey the donations to the IDPs in the host community, adding that 'we have not transported these equipment from such a long distance, only for them to be put to unproductive use or sold off, rather, they are meant to help the IDPs'.
The Chief Imam of Ruxton Road Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alh. Ibrahim Zaria said 'we are here, besides other things, to also extend our condolences to the people of Borno over what they have gone through'.
The donations were overseen by the Shehu of Borno, represented by his son and District Head of Mafa, Alh. Abba Kawu, and other dignitaries.
Hon. Abubakar Tijani, member State House of Assembly, representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Council thanked the organizers and donors on behalf of the state for what he calls 'great gestures'.
He prayed that the donations made are put to the intended purpose and be useful to the beneficiaries.
The representative of the Shehu while thanking the donors, draws attention that 'people should not be carried away to forget prayers'.
He further admonished the beneficiaries to make good use of the donations 'as it can change your present conditions'.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the donors.
Habbe Garba, one of the women who got a sewing machine said, 'I am very happy and thankful to the donors, I am sure in the next few weeks, I must have gone far'.
Ba'ana Binte, who said he was a tailor before the Boko Haram insurgency erupted, thanked the organizers and donors 'for their collective effort in empowering us, we must make good use of the gesture and make a difference'.
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