By: Austin Mac-Albert
The Hajiya Hadiza Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Abuja, marked its end-of-year celebration on Saturday, December 14, with a series of impactful charitable activities.
The event, held at the Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory, included prayers and the distribution of essential items to vulnerable groups, including widows, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The foundation’s founder, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, took the opportunity to distribute food items, clothing materials, and cash to those in need, further emphasizing her commitment to improving the lives of the less privileged.
Guided by its vision to empower women, educate children, support persons with disabilities, and foster equal opportunities, the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts across Nigeria. Since its establishment, the foundation has made significant strides in providing scholarships to indigent students, empowering widows and orphans, and supporting various vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the event, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, a patron of the foundation, commended Hajiya Hadiza for her tireless efforts to uplift the less privileged. He noted that as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties during the 9th Assembly, his committee played a crucial role in the creation of the Disability Commission.
Senator Yusuf highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the needs of Nigeria’s approximately 35 million persons living with disabilities, emphasizing that such efforts should not rest solely on individuals but also require government involvement.
“We must cultivate a culture of caring for one another,” Senator Yusuf stated. He praised Hajiya Hadiza’s passion and dedication, acknowledging her use of personal resources to support others. He prayed for continued blessings on her and her endeavors.
In her remarks, Hajiya Hadiza expressed gratitude for the turnout at the event and shared her motivation for her humanitarian work. Recalling her own experience of losing her parents at a young age, she said, “I resolved to use God’s blessings to help the less privileged and be a source of hope for the hopeless.”
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She encouraged the less privileged to feel free to reach out to her, assuring widows of her continued support. Known fondly as a blend of “Margaret Thatcher and Mother Theresa of our time,” Hajiya Hadiza distributed cash gifts, clothing, and food items, including two slaughtered cows, to over 100 widows and less privileged individuals from diverse backgrounds and religions.
The event also featured prayers and goodwill messages from representatives of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation (UTA-Nigeria), and other partners. Imams and community leaders joined in offering blessings for the foundation’s work.
In recognition of her selfless service, Hajiya Hadiza received awards from various organizations, honoring her kindness and unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes.
The end-of-year celebration was a testament to the foundation’s enduring commitment to creating a more equitable and compassionate society.
