By Anthony Adgidzi, Lafia
Princess Margaret Itake Elayo, the outgone Commissioner in the of Special Duties, Humanitarian Services and NGOs has said that, her leadership at the ministry was able to achieve a significant milestone that impacted positively in the lives of the people of the state
Princess Elayo, who was speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lafia, mentioned relief and palliative support, strengthening partnership, innovative programmes capacity building, advocacy and awareness are some of the areas of accomplishments while at the Ministry.
According to the outgone Humanitarian commissioner, “we have distributed over 70,000 palliative to valuables populations cross 13 Local Government in the State, we also facilitated the distribution of Dangote Foundation palliative across the State. We provide support to victims of windstorms and flood disaster across the state.
“We have fostered strong relationships with WHO, Red Cross, Dangote Foundation, Security Bodies NGOs, community-based organizations, and international partners. Together, we have mobilized resources and coordinated efforts to respond effectively to humanitarian crises in Toto, Nasarawa, Karu, Keana, Awe, Doma, and many others.
“We launched several innovative programs like Citizen Assembly, with 147 members across 13 LGA, Nasarawa Humanitarian Queen Project, Tertiary Institution Debate Club, and Open Door Policy for People with Special Needs, aimed at addressing pressing issues such as food security, health care access, and education for vulnerable populations. These initiatives have not only provided immediate relief but have also laid the groundwork for sustainable development.
“We invested in capacity-building initiatives and training for staff, PWD, and local NGOs, empowering them to enhance their operational effectiveness and expand their reach. This investment in local leadership is crucial for the long-term success of our humanitarian efforts.
“We have raised awareness about the importance of humanitarian work by observing and celebrating the World Humanitarian and NGOs Day for the first time in Nasarawa State. We have advocated for policies that support vulnerable communities. We have made strides in ensuring that their voices are heard”, Princess Elayo said.
The commissioner who emphasized the importance of continuity in humanitarian services, said, the challenges at the ministry are not only enormous, but are such that ever calls for more compassionate and effective service.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hussaini Usman Baba-Yahyi, appreciated the efforts of Princess Margaret Elayo for setting the place for humanitarian services in the state.
The PS prayed God to help the outgone Commissioner in her future endeavour.
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