The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has distributed cash grants, vocational kits, and fish farming inputs to residents of Madagali Local Government Area as part of efforts to support communities affected by insurgency.
The distribution, held at Gulak Stadium, marked another phase of post-conflict recovery interventions aimed at restoring livelihoods and fostering economic resilience in the area.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, while flagging off the exercise, said the empowerment of 2,500 households translates to lifting over 10,000 people out of poverty.
Fintiri commended the UNDP for its continued partnership with the state in rebuilding lives and livelihoods, calling for the expansion of the initiative to other insurgency-affected areas including Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha, Gombi, and Hong.
“I urge the beneficiaries to make good use of the grants and materials to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the rebuilding of their communities,” the governor said.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr. Celine Laori, praised Governor Fintiri for his commitment to humanitarian recovery and partnership with development agencies.
She explained that under the new phase of the intervention, 1,500 households received business grants of ₦300,000 each, 500 others got vocational kits, while 250 households were provided with fish farming inputs.
Dr. Laori added that monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure proper utilization of the support provided to beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Ptil Madagali, HRM Dr. Ali Danburam, and the Chairman of Madagali LGA, Simon Musa, expressed appreciation to the state government and UNDP for their sustained efforts to alleviate poverty and strengthen community resilience.
They described the initiative as timely, noting that it would significantly improve household incomes and promote economic stability in the region.
One of the beneficiaries, Mary Auta, who spoke on behalf of others, described the support as “a dream come true” for the people of Madagali.
She thanked the government and UNDP for their intervention and pledged to make effective use of the funds and materials to improve her livelihood.
