By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), humanitarian assistance, the Qatar Charity Foundation (QCF), in Nigeria on Wednesday begun a process of lifting at least 60 persons out of poverty as it provided them with livelihood support equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Governor Umar Namadi presided over the official handover of livelihood support equipment to the 60 beneficiaries, as part of the ongoing partnership between the state government and the State of Qatar.
The event, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Dutse, had in attendance the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Ali Bin Ghanim Al-Hajri, and Sheikh Hamdi Abdou, Country Director of Qatar Charity.
The items distributed included 20 units of passenger tricycle for human transportation, 20 cargo tricycles, and 20 multipurpose grinding machines, all specially designed for durability and functionality.
In addition, over 100 prepositioned tents were handed over to Jigawa State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to bolster disaster response capabilities, especially during flood emergencies. These machines are specially designed for durability and high utility
The governor expressed gratitude to Qatari Charity and the Qatari government for their continued support, recalling their earlier visit in January 2025 during the commissioning of a multi-purpose community center in Hadejia.
“Many of us would recall that on Saturday, 18th January, 2025, the two dignitaries were in Hadejia for the commissioning of a multi-purpose center established with the support of Qatar Charity. The project included residential and educational facilities, a water scheme, and a mosque, fostering a conducive environment for learning, community, and social development.”
He lauded the sustained contributions of the Charity Foundation in water, education, shelter, and religious infrastructure across the state, noting, “All these interventions in Jigawa state perfectly align with our commitment to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs).
“This is particularly so for SDGs 1-6 which, concerns, poverty eradication, achieving food security & nutrition, ensuring access to healthcare services and basic education, empowerment & gender inclusion, and sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.”
In appreciation of this partnership, the governor announced that the State Executive Council has approved the naming of two major township roads and a flagship educational facility in Dutse in honour of Qatari leadership:
“Qatar Street”, linking Sani Abacha Way to Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Street, Yalwawa Junction to FUD Madobi Road, H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani Mega Tsangaya School, all in Dutse Metropolis.
The two new road projects were commissioned by the envoy, who inspected the ongoing construction of the Mega Tsangaya School in the state capital.
Namadi further restated Jigawa’s commitment to pursuing broader economic cooperation, including revisiting collaborative plans with NIRSAL and the Qatar-Nigeria Business Council to boost investment, education, youth development, and research initiatives.
As a complementary gesture, the governor disclosed that the state government would provide each beneficiary with an additional N50,000 grant to support business start-up costs, as beneficiaries would also sign formal agreements to ensure proper use and monitoring of the equipment, overseen by Qatar Charity in collaboration with the Jigawa State Youth Empowerment and Employment Agency.
The Qatari envoy lauded the governor for his administration’s notable achievements across education, agriculture, infrastructure, and social development. He emphasized the strength of the bilateral relationship.
“Jigawa is unique by its political, economic and societal values, as well as agricultural development,” he said.
“Your vision of a better Jigawa State through several developmental programmes and initiatives is really commendable, and it is reflected in the fact that Jigawa State is, today, one of the most secure states in Nigeria.”
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, Auwalu Danladi Sankara said materials distributed to the beneficiaries includes 20 units each of tricycles for human transportation, tricycles for goods transportation and heavy duty grinding machines.
According to the commissioner, the criteria used in selecting the beneficiary include two most vulnerable people were selected from each of the 27 LGAs as beneficiaries, added that the remaining slots were allocated to the five emirates and additional one to most vulnerable person.
He explained that the livelihood support provided by Qatar Charity and the presence of the highest delegation possible from both the Embassy and the Organization means a lot to the government and people of Jigawa State.
He said: “It signifies the bond of friendship and partnership between the state of Qatar and Jigawa State, it also signifies the love and mutual respect between the Ambassador and the Country Director and Governor Mal Umar Namadi.”
He commended the kind gesture by the organization in supporting the people of the state with livelihood materials, assured that beneficiaries will make good use of the materials provided to them.
One of the beneficiaries from Malam Madori local government, Hajia Fatima who could not hide her joy commended the organization for the kind gesture and the state government for finding her worthy among the beneficiaries, saying he will make good use of the grinding machine he was given and the capital to take good care of her family.
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