World Peace Day: WOFAN commissions PWD centre, solar boreholes in Jigawa
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) on Thursday commissioned a Women’s and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Centre alongside solar-powered boreholes in Kudai community, Dutse local government, Jigawa State.
SolaceBase reports that the initiative is in commemoration of the 2024 World Peace Day and the event highlighted the efforts to uplift marginalized groups and improve living conditions in the region.
According to WOFAN, the newly established Women’s Centre is designed as a hub for PWDs and equipped with modern facilities to support agro-businesses.
The centre offers advanced tools for food processing, including parboiling equipment, rice and maize mills, rice destoners, and polishers.
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Similarly, the centre has a solar-powered water source, featuring 12 water points that will serve over 500,000 households in Kudai and its neighbouring communities to address a critical water need, as the initial only source of access to water was an open well.
Speaking at the event, Hajiya Salamatu Garba, WOFAN Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made the project possible, noting that it aligns with WOFAN’s ICON2 Project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
“This initiative responds to the inspiring story of Ahmadu Yakubu, a young tetraplegic man who sought dignity through work despite his physical limitations.
His story drove us to extend this intervention to the entire Kudai community, reinforcing our mission to foster inclusive growth.”
She added that the WOFAN ICON2 Project aims to empower over 57,500 young individuals with disabilities and 9,000 agro-loaders across ten Nigerian states.
“The Kudai Women’s Centre is just one of six similar centres being inaugurated in Jigawa, further emphasizing WOFAN’s commitment to economic empowerment and job creation.”
In addition to the PWD Centre, the event also saw the distribution of 24 tricycle to support local agro-commodity transporters and loaders, as well as hand-operated tricycle carriers for 40 individuals with mobility challenges.
The solar-powered boreholes, valued at ₦18 million, will provide water for household use, as well as support local vegetable gardening and orchard projects.
The Emir of Dutse, represented by Dan Malam din Dutse district head of Aujara Alhaji Aminu Dankadai, lauded the initiative for its far-reaching impact on the community.
“This project brings hope and dignity to many, especially those who have been overlooked. It is a symbol of peace and unity, which we celebrate on this World Peace Day.”
The Emir urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the centre and equipment for the betterment of their society.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed their excitement on how WOFAN is helping their society.
A representative of people with disabilities Ahmad Yakubu said “Before this centre, we had to travel far to process our rice and maize. Now, with the milling machines and other equipment here, we can process and sell our products right in the community. It saves us time and money, and we’re able to earn more to support our families.”
Ibrahim Musa, a local agro-commodity loader who received one of the 24 tricycle carriers distributed during the event said “We used to carry loads on our heads and backs, which was exhausting.
These tricycles will make our work easier and faster, allowing us to transport more goods and earn more income.”
With the backing of local leaders and the involvement of various community clusters, WOFAN continues to champion initiatives that uplift underserved populations, providing them with the tools and resources to lead self-sufficient, dignified lives.
As the community of Kudai embraces this new chapter, the hope is that these efforts will spark a wave of development that extends beyond Jigawa, fostering lasting peace and prosperity across Nigeria.
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