FUDECO, a development and cultural organization, has stressed the need for stakeholders to empower women to ensure economic independence.
The submission was made during a one day stakeholders meeting on gender equality and women empowerment held on Thursday in Sokoto state.
The Fulbe people are a significant ethnic group in Nigeria and the West Africa, with a population estimated between 25 and 40 million people with rich cultural heritage and history.
However, the group faces critical challenges, such as limited access to education and economic opportunities, making organizations that are crucial for their advancement.
These challenges necessitated the establishment of Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization(FUDECO), with a view to focusing on promoting the welfare, culture, and development of the Fulani people.
Amongst other Missions and Objectives of the FUDECO are, Cultural Preservation, Community Development, Education and Skills Development, Cultural Exchange, as well as Advocacy.
And Thursday’s event, a research titled, Gender Equality, Empowerment and Social Inclusion of Pastoralist Women, was unveiled by the national body of the organization.
While declaring the meeting open, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Nomadic Education, Umar Magaji Katami, represented, thanked the organizers of the program for their consistent efforts and unwavering commitment to the development of Fulbe communities in Sokoto State and beyond.
He therefore, urged FUDECO to continue with the noble work, saying that, the Organization’s impact is visible, appreciative and truly making a difference.
The FUDECO Chairman, Sokoto State chapter, Nasir Ibrahim Tangaza, highlighted some of the achievements recorded, since the establishment of the organization in the state.
The Chairman also used the medium to announce their future work plans, that include, renovation of some selected Nomadic Schools, Provision of Educational Materials, Drilling of Boreholes and Access to Basic Healthcare among others.
Engineer Aliyu Umar Sambo is the official from the national body of FUDECO, spoke to Journalists shortly after delivering the presentation of the research.
There were several Goodwill messages from Sultanate Council sokoto, District Head of Gagi Sani Umar Jabbi, Professor Abubakar Usman Riba, Dr Abubakar Kokoshe, Dr Abubakar Alkali, Faruk Mustapha Balle, Sokoto State Extension Agent of NNEC Mustapha Aliyu Goshe, Police to mention but a few.
In a vote of thanks, a member of FUDECO Sokoto chapter, Dr Umar Faruk, thanked all those who honored their invitation, and assured of continued commitment to come out with numerous activities that have direct bearings to Fulbe community across the state.
The stakeholders engagement meeting in Sokoto state, had in attendance, government officials, traditional rulers, community elders, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, security agents, Ulamas and some members of academia.
