*By Joy Salami*
A non-governmental organization, Jam’yar Matan Arewa (Northern Women), has reached out to the Graphic Newspaper in a bid to boost their women empowerment initiatives in Kogi State. The organization, led by its Kogi State chapter chairperson, Hajia Fatima Yakubu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the newspaper’s Managing Director, Mr. YJ Itopa.
Speaking at the visit, Hajia Fatima explained that the organization is composed of reputable women who have served in various capacities within the civil service and other sectors. She stressed that their visit was not just a formality but an opportunity to build a partnership with the Graphic Newspaper to further their developmental goals.
“Jam’yar Matan Arewa’s primary focus is the development of society, with particular emphasis on the welfare of women, children, and families,” Hajia Fatima said.
She gave a brief history of the group, which was founded in Kaduna in 1963. According to her, the association was born out of a need to tackle rising poverty levels among women and children in Northern Nigeria. Even though many of the founding members were wives of influential politicians, they realized there were issues their husbands couldn’t fully address, prompting them to create Jam’yar Matan Arewa to fill the gaps.
Since then, the group has remained committed to the welfare of women and children. The Kogi State chapter officially launched in 2021, adding to the organization’s reach across Northern Nigeria.
Hajia Fatima emphasized that the group is non-religious, non-political, and non-ethnic, welcoming women from all tribes as long as they are from the north or married to northerners. “We are united in our mission to uplift women and children, providing them with the support they need,” she noted.
She went on to highlight the group’s ongoing efforts in Kogi State, including a recent collaboration with the state’s specialist hospital to offer healthcare services to their members. The visit to the Graphic Newspaper was part of their plan to strengthen these initiatives.
“We believe that the Graphic Newspaper can play a crucial role in amplifying our advocacy efforts in Kogi State, especially in the areas of healthcare, cleanliness, and women’s empowerment,” Hajia Fatima stated.
She also shared the group’s vision of establishing a vocational training center in Kogi to help women acquire the skills needed to sustain themselves. “With skills, women won’t need to rely on government jobs, which are becoming increasingly scarce,” she said.
In response, Mr. Itopa expressed his gratitude for the visit and commended the group’s efforts in advancing societal development. He assured them that the Graphic Newspaper would look for ways to support their initiatives and praised their dedication to improving the lives of women and children.
The visit ended with Hajia Fatima officially decorating Mr. Itopa as one of Jam’yar Matan Arewa’s stakeholders, solidifying the new partnership and their shared commitment to empowering women in Kogi State.
