Women academic doctors fete IDPs

The Association of Nigerian Women Academic Doctors Incorporated (ANWAD Inc), yesterday empowered widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of its conference scheduled for today.

The women also distributed food items to Internally- Displaced Persons (IDPs) and visited the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOCLEF).

The National President of the association, Dr. Henrietta Okoro, during the visit, said the vision of the group was to empower women, children and youths.

She said women and children were neglected, which could result in engaging in vices.

Dr. Okoro said: “Part of our vision is to help the government. We need people to support us. So we are trying to cover all states because ANWAD involves all ethnic groups- the Hausa, the Igbo, the Yoruba, the Efik. We are trying to reach out everywhere.”

On the IDPS, she urged the government to provide more resources to cater for their needs.

“I really feel for the children. You can see that a lot of them barely eat when they are just scrambling for ordinary tissue papers. These things don’t cost much. I believe government will do something,” the ANWAD national president said.

Some of the relief materials distributed to the less- privileged included bags of rice, toiletries, noodles, among others. Tailoring and hairdressing machines were also donated.

The representative of the IDPs in Durumi, Mrs. Liyatu Ayuba, hailed the kind gesture.

She attributed their sordid condition to the attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents.

“We know the problem that brought us here, which is Boko Haram. We thank you so much for leaving your office to assist us. May God protect you and your family,” Mrs. Ayuba said.

At WOCLEF, the National Coordinator, Mrs. Umaru Veronica, said the gesture would influence other women and girls in the centre.

She said about 22 people were undergoing training, adding that over 3,000 people had graduated since inception.