The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Bauchi State Chapter, says it has established 20 formal schools within 40 years across nine local government councils.
Habiba Usman, State Chairperson of the association stated this at a news conference held on Monday in Bauchi to celebrate 40 years in existence of the association.
Mrs Usman said that the association since it’s inception in 1985 had focused on five thematic areas of education, health, da’awa (evengalism), humanitarian and good governance.
”The state operates 20 formal schools with 12 Nursery/Primary and eight JSS/SSS schools in nine LGAs with a total population of 305,021 pupils and students.
”Under the non-formal sector, the organisation has 10 non-formal centres where literacy, numeracy and hand skills are taught in addition to more than 28 women Islamiyya centres,’’ she said.
Speaking on da’awa (evangelism) she said that more than 23 communities were visited with majority in Dass and Ganjuwa LGAs with messages of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Mrs Usman said that the chapter established the first Islamic organisation owned clinic in 2008 in the state.
”We have offered free ophthalmic care through surgeries and corrective lenses to 150 eye patients in collaboration with Albasar foundation.
”We have also offered free breast and cervical cancer screening for 135 women amongst others.
”On humanitarian related interventions, the chapter has provided palliatives to about 23,041 less privileged households.
”We have also built the capacity of more than 700 women village savings and loan groups,” she added.
She said that over time, the association had sensitised women on leadership position and good governance to allow for women participation in policy and decision making.
Mrs Usman explained that the association was facing financial challenges in its operations, but expressed optimism that in a few years to come, the association would be able to provide grants to smaller civil society organisations for development programmes.
The chairperson urged stakeholders to join in celebrating FOMWAN’s legacy and to continue to support the organisation’s mission to empower communities and promote humanitarian services.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the association has an organisational structure from the national to ward level in the state.
The theme of the event is “Celebrating 40 years of FOMWAN’s Impactful Life Legacy of Empowering Communities through Development and Humanitarian Services”.
NAN
