Amina Dikwa Foundation Celebrates 5 Years of Compassion
Jerry Adesewo
It was a gathering of men and women of timber and calibre in society at the NAF Centre, Abuja, as the Amina Dikwa Foundation, on Saturday night, celebrated five years of compassion, charity, and contribution to national development.
The roll call includes Distinguished Senator Mohammed Tahir Mongunu, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General T.Y. Buratai, represented by Gen. Abdulahi Bulama Biu (rtd.), Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, Engineer Muktar Usman, Representative of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Tessy Nwafor, Guest Speaker, Professor Salisu Shehu, and the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Adamu, popular Nigerian musician Zakky Azzay, and a host of others.
The NGO, which has the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON as its Grand Patron, and Dr. M.S. Abukar as Chairman Board of Trustee, was founded five years ago and has, within this time in review, contributed immensely to nation-building through impactive intervention in education, healthcare, livelihood, and women and children, among others, with testimonies from beneficiaries, not limited to, but particularly in the Northeastern region of Nigeria, where the Foundation operates.
Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Adamu charged young Nigerians, especially females, not to wait to be employed but to take their destiny into their hands by generating ideas that could enhance their lives and those of others. He said, “I must commend Dr. Amina, because she is the reason we are here. Not just for birthing this idea, but for her resilience over the years, and I would wish that other young people emulate her.”
Speaking on the vision behind the foundation, Dr. Amina Dikwa, founder and president of the Amina Dikwa Foundation, attributed her interest in charitable intervention to the huge influence of her family, particularly her grandmother and her father. “Charity is a virtue. It is something I have taken to doing since I was younger because this is a virtue I grew up to know. Personally, my desire is to bring hope to the less fortunate in society and to change their lives. Despite the challenges, this we have done to the best of our abilities in the last five years, which is why we are here today, and with your partnership and the path we have set for ourselves for the next five years, I am sure we can do even more.”
In addition to the wonderful job of the co-compere in holding the audience down with their intelligent anchoring, laced with subtle but rib-cracking jokes, Zaaki Azzay, the torchlight-bearing crooner, who also serves on the board of the foundation, mounted the stage to delight the audience with his brand of music as he performed one of his hit tracks, ‘Maata’.
The foundation, which has itself received about ten awards in the last ten years in recognition of her exploits, also presented special awards of recognition to some notable personalities and partners of the NGO, which was the highlight of the evening. The honorees include: Chief. Mrs. Alhaja Risikat Ahmed Vanderpuije, who bagged the Award of Excellence in Philanthropic Activities; Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, Founder, NHD Foundation, who picked up the General Excellence Award in Youth Development; Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum (First Lady of Borno State), who picked up a Special Recognition Award; and Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, who bagged the Award of Excellence in Philanthropic Activities.
The anniversary did not end with mere encomiums, as guests took their turn to pledge support in financial terms and partnership with the foundation as they began to execute their 5-year strategic plan, which is anchored primarily on empowerment and healthcare.
