By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
President Muhammadu Buhari today , May 28, 2023 at the Presidential Villa in his speech to the nation stated among his achievements the empowerment of the poor and vulnerable as well as acquisition of skills by young Nigerian graduates and non- graduates under the ministerial portfolio of the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
He said,“ You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.”
“Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use”.
Similarly on Friday at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari congratulated the Minister during the virtual unveiling of the 1st International Humanitarian Summit, while celebrating the achievements held under the Humanitarian sector.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also conferred on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq with the Commander of the Order of the Niger CON award.
This was contained in a statement by the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs on Sunday May 28, 2023,Umar Farouq is among 75 recipients who received the prestigious National honors.
According to the statement, the CON Award is for her resilience and intervention of humanitarian crises in the country from August 2019 to May 28th, 2023 including poverty, Covid-19 pandemic, flooding, internal displacements, refugee crisis, youth unemployment, statelessness, fire disasters and Out of School Children challenges.
Buhari said, “I want to commend the Honourable Minister, the management and staff of the Ministry for exhibiting a high sense of leadership and dexterity in handling the affairs of Humanitarian Sector.”
“Let me thank our partners, the donor agencies, Non-governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, MDAs and the National Assembly for their support.
“As we bow out, it is my strong belief that that the Humanitarian sector is adequately prepared and equipped for better Service Delivery to Nigeria’s Vulnerable Groups.”
“It is on record that the empowerment programmes initiated and executed all over the country under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has impacted positively the lives of millions of Nigerians and had lifted millions out of poverty. I congratulate you for a job well done.”.
Sadiya Umar Farouq is the pioneer Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
