By Tyopuusu Maigida, Jalingo
The TY Danjuma Foundation, an initiative of Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) on Tuesday boosted the activities of six non-governmental organisations, NGOs, involved in community development in Taraba State with N25 million.
The money, which was drawn from ‘Taraba Community Fund’ of the Foundation was presented to the beneficiaries at a ceremony in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Presenting the cheques to the benefiting NGOs, the Taraba State Coordinator of TY Danjuma Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Ishaku, said over 40 organizations applied for the fund, but only six met the criteria for selection.
While charging the beneficiary NGOs on judicious utilisation of the funds for the purpose they were meant and ensure accountability for every kobo spent, Ishaku said the fund was meant for intervention in the health and education sector; explaining that 15 out of the 16 local government areas of the state were already covered by the fund with projects already ongoing in the areas.
Earlier, Mr. Ilori Muyiwa, the Finance Officer of the Foundation, commended the benefiting NGOs for implementing the project to satisfaction and called for the sustenance of their activities.
He said Gen. Danjuma was passionate about touching lives; even as he called on the beneficiaries of the fund to be transparent and accountable in their dealings to achieve the dreams of the donor, Gen. Danjuma.
He said, “We started the community fund in March 2011 to provide technical assistance to NGOs to enhance community engagement, target social initiatives and help NGOs to carry out innovative projects to assist in community development.
“So far, 29 Taraba State-based organisation have been assisted by the Taraba Community Fund and they have implemented the execution of 46 projects in 15 local government areas, totalling over N100 million with over 39,000 beneficiaries.”
Beneficiaries of the fund, which included: HEPA Healthcare Centre, Nigeria; WOTCLEF;
Kwararrafa Galaxy Club; FADAMA Primary School SBMC; Franklin Talent Development and Community Care Initiative, FTDCCI; and Jukun Wanu Cultural Development Association,
commended the TY Danjuma Foundation for the good work it is doing in uplifting the people and touching lives.
They called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate Gen. Danjuma’s commitment in ensuring the welfare of the people by intervening in health and education, which are key in human development.
