Foundation Empowers Aid Workers with Financial, Mental Health Skills

By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

The Migration and Development Impact Foundation has organised a capacity-building workshop in Jos, Plateau State, aimed at strengthening the financial resilience, wealth creation skills and mental health awareness of humanitarian and NGO workers.

The training brought together participants from Gombe State, Bauchi State and Plateau State, with organisers saying it was designed to address the financial instability and emotional pressures commonly faced by aid workers.

Speaking at the workshop, the Project Director, Mr Olalekan Sulaiman Tella, said the initiative was developed to support NGO workers who often experience income gaps after project implementation cycles end.

He explained that the programme is being implemented in two phases, with an earlier session held for participants from the South-east, while the current phase targets the North-east.

Mr Tella said Jos was chosen as the venue due to its accessibility and proximity to the airport, which made it easier for participants from neighbouring states to converge.

He said the foundation conceived the programme after observing that many NGO workers struggle financially during periods between projects.

“The programme is centred on caring for the carer,” he said. “Most NGO workers are engaged in project-based work, and once those projects end, many are left without stable income.”

According to him, the training is also designed to equip participants with practical skills that will enable them to create alternative income streams without interfering with their professional duties.

The workshop also placed emphasis on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, which Mr Tella described as a critical but often neglected aspect of humanitarian work.

NGO workers constantly face traumatic and emotional situations while supporting vulnerable communities. Over time, such exposure affects their psychological wellbeing,” he said.

He added that the programme aims to help participants develop coping strategies and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“We want them to be able to separate work-related trauma from their personal lives so they can remain productive, stable and emotionally healthy,” he added.

Yarang Llamisi Foundation trains 93 women in vocational, literacy skills in Gombe

By Jamila Muhammad

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation (YLF) has graduated 93 women from its free vocational, entrepreneurship and literacy training programs in Gombe State.

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation organised the programme at Zumbuk Primary School in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area as part of its efforts to promote women empowerment and economic self-reliance.

Community leaders, civil society groups, facilitators and family members attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate the beneficiaries after months of training in various vocational and literacy skills.

In a goodwill message, the founder and chief executive officer of the foundation, Sarah Haruna Musa Moda, described the graduation as a major milestone in the organization’s commitment to supporting women and vulnerable groups through education and skill acquisition.

Ms. Moda said the initiative was organised free of charge as part of the foundation’s contribution to community development and efforts to improve women’s livelihoods in the state.

According to her, the programme was designed to equip beneficiaries with practical and income-generating skills to enable them to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

“This occasion represents a remarkable milestone in vocational, entrepreneurial and literacy achievement. It reflects the resilience, dedication, and vision that define the Yarang Llamisi Foundation community,” she said.

The founder commended the trainers, volunteers, and organisers for their support of the program’s success and urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills they acquired.

Speaking at the event, the principal of the programme, Mary Mele, said the initiative reflected the foundation’s commitment to promoting women’s education, economic empowerment and social development in Gombe State.

She explained that the beneficiaries received training in different vocational fields alongside literacy and entrepreneurial education aimed at strengthening their capacity to establish and manage small businesses.

Ms. Mele encouraged the graduates to remain focused and use the knowledge they gained during the program to improve their lives and support their communities.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Gombe State Civil Society Network, Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, commended the foundation for investing in women’s empowerment and community development.

Mr. Yusuf described the program as timely and impactful, noting that empowering women through vocational training and education would significantly contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth in the state.

The event featured the presentation of certificates to the beneficiaries amid celebrations from guests and community members.

The Yarang Llamisi Foundation has continued to implement programs focused on literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurial development as part of efforts to promote self-reliance among women and youths in Gombe State.

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Gombe Women Agenda Trains Members, Targets Stronger Political Participation

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Women in Gombe State have intensified efforts to strengthen their participation in governance, following a one-day internal capacity-building session aimed at preparing members for more active engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The training, organised by the Gombe Women Agenda (GWA), brought participants from across the state together at the NITDA Hall of Gombe State University, where discussions centred on leadership, advocacy, and strategies for improving women’s representation in decision-making processes.

Speaking during the session, the deputy chairperson of the group, Dr. Leah Iliya Jalo, stressed the need for women to recognise their value in society and step forward to take leadership roles. She noted that women remain central to societal development and must build confidence to influence governance outcomes.

“We cannot continue to remain on the sidelines. Empowerment begins with self-awareness and unity,” she said, urging participants to work collectively in advancing shared goals.

The meeting also featured a goodwill message from retired Justice Beatrice L. Iliya, who commended the initiative and described it as a significant step toward strengthening the voice of women in the state.

She called for sustained efforts to break barriers limiting women’s participation across political and socio-economic spaces.

Facilitating a key session, Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf explained that the Gombe Women Agenda is a non-partisan political movement focused on ensuring that women’s interests are prioritised regardless of party affiliations.

He emphasised the importance of holding leaders accountable and encouraged women to move beyond passive observation to active engagement in government.

According to him, the initiative is driven by concerns over the low number of female aspirants and limited political awareness among women, stressing the need for early preparation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants also stressed the importance of inclusivity, particularly the involvement of women with disabilities, and called for stronger grassroots mobilisation across the 11 local government areas of the state.

Discussions further underscored the importance of economic empowerment and skills acquisition as critical tools for enhancing women’s independence and participation in public life.

The session outlined key objectives of the agenda, including the development of a Women’s Political Charter, capacity building for female leaders and voters, and the establishment of structures to monitor political commitments to women’s issues.

In her presentation, Dr Jalo identified critical focus areas such as political under-representation, access to healthcare, economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence, noting that coordinated action is required to address systemic challenges facing women.

The meeting concluded with renewed commitment from participants, who pledged to take the message back to their communities and strengthen advocacy for inclusive governance.

The organisers described the session as a major step toward building a unified platform capable of amplifying women’s voices and influencing policy directions in Gombe State.