An NGO, Global Peace Development (GPD) in collaboration with British Council has presented grants to 15 women groups in Adamawa to execute peace building and empowerment programmes in their communities.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday in Yola, Mr Ebruke Esike, GPD Executive Director, said the grant of N500,000 would be given to each of the associations in three tranches starting with N200,000.
Esike said the remaining tranches would be released after the groups had exhausted the first tranche and accounted for it.
He said the benefitting groups were selected in Mubi North, Mubi South and Yola North Local Government Areas(LGAs) of the state.
While commending British Council for supporting the project, Esik urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious utilisation of the grants for the purpose intended.
Prof Muhammad Tabiu, the Programme Manager, Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCM) of the British Council , said the project was among those supported by MCM in the North East to promote peace and build the capacity of vulnerable groups.
Tabiu, represented by the Adamawa Programme Manager of MCM, Mr Abdulkadir Bello, urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by making judicious use of the grants for positive impact in their communities.
Also speaking, the Programme Officer of British Council, Ms Esi Quao, urged the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity in showing that women have vital role to play in transforming the society when given the opportunity.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Ms Maimuna Garba of Agaji Women Development Association, promised to utilise the grant on fight against drug abuse among youths in Jambutu community in Yola North LGA.
Mrs Gambo Aminu of Women Alliance in Mubi South LGA, said there association would utilise the grant in the fight against early marriage and promotion of girl-child education.
Highlights of the event was presentation of cheques to the associations.
