By Felix Sha’adu, Kaduna Kaduna State Ministry Of Human Services and Social Development Partners UNICEF
In a thoughtful and proactive manner, a timely three days, 16-18th April, 2024 seminar was organized @ Bafra International Hotel, Kaduna for the benefit of the affected population in Kuriga community to manage the post release trauma of the 137 students from captivity. The duo of the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services/Social Development and UNICEF considered the value of managing the post traumatic effects (in other words psycho – social support) of the captivity of the students and bring them back to normalcy.
In doing this, target audience for this seminar was identified to include: teachers, health workers, traditional rulers and other relevant officers, who shall be having direct interactions with the affected students so as to understand how to help them forget/manage the hurtful incidence.
Today 18th being the last day of the training as we concluded, Mrs Theresa Pamma, Chief of Field Office, Unicef Kaduna, opened her presentation by sending loads of gratitude to the Honourable Commissioner, Hajia Rabi Salisu, the traditional heads and her fellow colleagues at UNICEF and the distinguished participants from Kuriga. She stated how grateful and excited she was, seeing the spirit of unity and togetherness, and hope that the knowledge impacted should be passed to the target audience, as that will help the community to regain their strength and move along in the developmental goal coming their way soonest.
The training was rich in content which included syndicate groups of four: Education, Health/Nutition, Child Protection handled by Mr. Lucky/Umar and Wash – Hygiene handled by Mr. Nush Samuel Peter, Mary Bawa of RUWASSA.
Dr Wilfred Mamah, the child protection officer, further lamented the occurrence and condemned it wholeheartedly.He said every child deserves a good and better life and that they will do everything in their power to see that children are getting a wholesome treatment. Mamah further presented a gift of bicycle to one of the victims Isah Abubakar, and Firdausi who got a packaged gift too ( they were the two representatives of the 137 adopted children ) promised to continue executing their philanthropic outreach to the community
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The Vice Chairman Chikun Local Government Tala Musa Kuriga, and the Former Vice Chairman Nuhu Shuaibu Abdulaziz, spoke diligently and expressed their immense gratitude on how the state government provided a swift response to the affected children and their parents. And the support they provided, which is aimed to provide a relief and therapy to the affected community and their families.The Vice Chairman also, sent his vote of thanks to the Commissioner for always carrying the burden of Kuriga deep inside of her. He said “she is a mother to every living child in Kuriga”.
A comment made by the Village head Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi, where he profoundly commended the efforts made by both the State Government, UNICEF and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development in seeing a safe release of the victims and also for the 3 days psycho-social support seminar given to them.
The Honourable Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development Hajia Rabi Salisu, extended her gratitude and appreciation to the participants from Kuriga community, the Representative of UNICEF, Kaduna State Government and her fellow colleagues in the Ministry. She added that the training is conducted to help the victims and community to regain their peaceful coexistence and to have strong hope in government with their lives and properties in safety. She implored beneficiaries of the psycho-social support programme to be diligent and polite in discharging their duties back in the community. She also added that, Kuriga Community is in her heart now and forever and that the government of Kaduna will do anything in it’s power to maintain peace and security in the community and in Kaduna State at large.
A closing remark by the District Head of Kuriga ,Alhaji Shitu Abdullahi Gwagwada, where he extended his gratitude to the Honourable Commissioner Hajia Rabi Salisu on the support and guidance she provided thereupon, and also to the UNICEF for their tireless efforts in responding to the need of Kuriga people. He also commended the efforts made by Kaduna State Government, Sen. Uba Sani, for his unwavering commitment and dedication in ensuring safe release of the kidnapped victims.
This proactive seminar is indeed a welcome development and it shows a responsive government that is determined to collaborate with International agencies to better the lives of her citizens.