By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As the Harmattan season approaches, with it cold and dusty atmosphere, the National President of the Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children in Nigeria, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, has initiated a campaign for support for the needy.
The campaign’s objective among others is to collect blankets, warm clothing, gloves, and headgear for those most in need, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and individuals living on the streets, to shield them from the harsh Harmattan weather.
This campaign coincided with the upcoming World International Girl Child Day on October 11th, 2023, raising the urgent need for the thousands of IDPs scattered across Northern Nigeria, who require protection against the cold-related illnesses that often accompany this season, to be assisted.
Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani is canvassing for the contributions of wealthy individuals, corporate organizations, companies, governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations nationwide.
“Their support is critical in providing cold-weather clothing to those in need. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of individuals donating their spare Harmattan clothing to local churches and mosques.
“These places of worship can then distribute the items to those less fortunate, ensuring they are safeguarded from the harsh Harmattan conditions.
“Both churches and mosques are encouraged to serve as collection centers for donations, especially for orphanages and street children. The campaign underscores the significance of Nigerians coming together to donate cold-protective clothing.
“This collective effort aims to prevent the spread of diseases and respiratory infections such as conjunctivitis, asthma, coughs, catarrh, and tonsillitis, which often spike during the Harmattan season.
“Harmattan brings unique health and environmental challenges, affecting skin, hair, and overall well-being. With the season’s imminent arrival, thousands of IDPs, beggars, and destitute individuals, including many orphans, are in urgent need of support from the Nigerian community.
“The surge in banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism has led to a growing number of displaced persons across Northern Nigeria. This underscores the need for heightened awareness campaigns and public support for those in vulnerable situations’, she said.
Accordingly, she said “While many Nigerians are preparing to purchase cold-protective clothing for themselves and their families, it is crucial to remember the less fortunate, including street beggars, destitute individuals, and IDPs, who often struggle to stay warm during the Harmattan season.
Similarly, Muslim scholar Mallan Gambo Abdullahi Barnawa kaduna emphasizes the blessings associated with donating clothing or blankets to IDPs, destitute individuals, and anyone in need.
He stresses that even Almajiri children, seen begging on the streets in tattered and dirty clothes, deserve assistance to improve their lives.
Furthermore, Comrade Rilwanu, the National President of the “Beyond the Border of Disability in Nigeria” association, highlights the neglect and stigmatization faced by physically challenged individuals in Nigeria. He laments their exclusion from most development activities in the country and calls on the government to provide support during times of disaster.
Rilwanu underscores the importance of government assistance and protection for vulnerable communities during all seasons, emphasizing that this responsibility extends to all citizens.
