Princess Margaret Elayo: We’ve achieved significant humanitarian milestones in Nasarawa
By Anthony Adgidzi, Lafia
Princess Margaret Itake Elayo, the former Commissioner for Special Duties, Humanitarian Services and NGOs, stated that her leadership at the ministry accomplished a significant milestone that positively affected the lives of the people of the state.
Princess Elayo, who was speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lafia, highlighted relief and palliative support, strengthened partnership, innovative programmes, capacity building, advocacy, and awareness as key areas of accomplishment during her tenure at the Ministry.
According to the former Humanitarian Commissioner, “we have distributed over 70,000 palliatives to vulnerable populations across 13 local governments in the state. We also facilitated the distribution of Dangote Foundation palliatives across the state. We provided support to victims of windstorms and flood disasters across the state.”
“We have established strong relationships with the WHO, Red Cross, Dangote Foundation, security bodies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and international partners. Together, we have mobilized resources and coordinated our efforts to respond effectively to humanitarian crises in Toto, Nasarawa, Karu, Keana, Awe, Doma, and many others.”
“We launched several innovative programs, including the Citizen Assembly with 147 members across 13 LGAs, the Nasarawa Humanitarian Queen Project, the Tertiary Institution Debate Club, and the Open Door Policy for People with Special Needs. These initiatives aimed to address pressing issues such as food security, healthcare access, and education for vulnerable populations, providing immediate relief and laying the groundwork for sustainable development.”
“We invested in capacity-building initiatives and training for staff, people with disabilities, and local NGOs to enhance their operational effectiveness and expand their reach. This investment in local leadership is crucial to the long-term success of our humanitarian efforts.”
“We have raised awareness about the importance of humanitarian work by observing and celebrating the World Humanitarian and NGOs Day for the first time in Nasarawa State. We have advocated for policies supporting vulnerable communities. We have made strides to ensure their voices are heard.”
The commissioner stressed the importance of continuity in humanitarian services, pointing out that the challenges at the ministry are not only daunting but also call for more compassionate and effective service.
The Permanent Secretary, Hussaini Usman Baba-Yahyi, acknowledged Princess Margaret Elayo’s initiative in setting up a center for humanitarian services in the state.
The PS offered prayers to God for the outgoing Commissioner’s success in her future pursuits.
