Uche Usim, Abuja
The TY Danjuma Foundation has doled out N197 million for carefully-selected projects designed to empower the poor and vulnerable across the country.
Speaking at the foundation’s 2019 Grantees’ Training in Abuja on Thursday, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Gima Forje, said the event brought together 24 establishments approved by the Board of Trustees to execute life-touching projects in the areas of community health and education across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He listed the States as Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bauchi, Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, and Taraba state.
According to Forje, 17 projects were approved for execution this year.
“Each of the projects approved in 2019 grant cycle is truly special. They represent the best five per cent of the total applications reviewed by the foundation. The cumulative grant amount awarded for the 17 projects is N197 million.
“The foundation’s grantmaking in 2019, as has been the case over the
years is particularly responsive to the needs of underserved communities in the focal states of the foundation as well as in the new localities where we will be working,” he explained.
He added that the training was designed to expose potential grantees to its grant-making process and serve as a platform for organisations to network and build collaborative relations in the interest of the communities and beneficiaries for which the foundation was established.
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“Together, we shall be exploring topics such as project management, monitoring and evaluation, internal controls and financial reporting which are key to successful project implementation.
Also speaking at the event, one of TY Danjuma Foundation partners, Aliyu Hussaini of Kebbi-based Alkali Hussaini Foundation, described the programme as laudable.
“Our foundation is getting N20 million grant for its 2019 projects. The project is to train 600 teachers. The concept is to develop new improved methods of curriculum delivery.
“We will use the Hausa language in combination with the English language to improve on the ‘catch them young’ concept of the UASAID, which is now being domesticated in Kebbi State.”
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Care Vision Support Initiative, Dr. Pokop Bupwatda said his organisation had benefited from the TY Danjuma Foundation in providing free eye care services for people in underserved communities in Nigeria.
“General TY Danjuma does not want anything less for the people – even though the drugs are very expensive – to ensure that those infections are curtailed.
“Care Vision Support Initiative received N27 million from the TY Danjuma Foundation. We are going to reach 3,000 people in various areas across the country. Out of it, we are targeting 300 surgeries in each of those areas. 3,000 eyeglasses will also be given out free to those that have needs for them. 18 children who are blind from either congenital cataract or childhood developmental cataract were taken to Jos University Hospital for specialised surgery,” he said.