The Academic Staff Union of Universities has donated a large sum of N50 million worth of food materials as a bid of support to 500 women at internally displaced camps (IDPs) in the northwestern part of Nigeria.
This was revealed on Thursday during the distribution’s opening at the IDP Camp at the Giwa Local Government Secretariat in Giwa, Kaduna State, by ASUU National President Emmanuel Osodeke.
Speaking on behalf of Abdulkadir Mohammed, the ASUU Zonal Coordinator for the Northwest Zone, Mr. Osodeke explained that the gesture was made in accordance with the union’s constitution to show solidarity with the underprivileged and oppressed.
Osodeke: “We have noted that there are a lot of things wrong in this country, including the social and economic crises, and those who suffer the brunt, most especially the displaced persons due to banditry and insecurity.
“Unfortunately, this situation is nationwide and not restricted to Kaduna State.
“The union felt that there was a need to identify with them, and we budgeted over N50 million to support the IDPs in the northwest states, including Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
“The union is identifying with the masses in spite of the fact that the government has stopped our salary since the past eight months but didn’t deter us from helping the most vulnerable.”
Usman Zubeiru, the Council’s Director of Social Development, on behalf of Shehu Giwa, Chairman of the Giwa Local Government Council, praised the gesture from ASUU as touching and stated that the palliative care was appropriate and in fact came in when needed.
“The people are very happy, as the items would go a long way in cushioning their suffering; as such, we are very happy with the demonstration of care by ASUU.”