By Umar Muhammed, Lafia
The week long philanthropic activities of a United States based charity group, Zumunta Association USA Incorporated in Nasarawa State might have come and gone, but the impact such benevolence has created in the state will remain fresh in the minds of citizens, some of whom were the beneficiaries.
From ICT training where no fewer than one thousand people benefitted from modern trends in various spheres of ICT skills to free medical outreach carried out by the association, where about five thousand lives were deeply touched and an international golf tournament that drew golfers from within and outside Nigeria, which has also opened up the Lafia Golf Club and placed it on the global map, the Nasarawa state government will indeed not forget this kind of impact in a hurry.
In partnership with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM and Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, the ICT training programme ensured youths across the state received not only vocational training but one hundred thousand naira cash donations, especially to each of the twenty best participants.
Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe who declared the programme opened on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technical Institute Lafia, expressed optimism that its impact was enormous, assuring that the state will not be left behind in the global trend, just as he urged participants to leverage on the Bank of Industry to access loans that will enable them establish their respective ventures.
Nasarawa state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, who is also the NIDCOM Focal Officer in the state, described the training as an act of service by the Zumunta, adding that the gesture demonstrates their willingness to foster socioeconomic growth in their home state.
National president of the Zumunta Association, Mr. Sunday Bitrus narrated that the commitment of the Nasarawa state government towards skills development prompted the association to embark on the one week training, noting that it is their modest way of giving back to the society and appreciated the government for its support.
The free medical outreach carried out by the non profit organisation at the General Hospital Gudi, near Akwanga Local Government Area, featured basic surgery, health education, diagnosis, counseling and medical prescriptions, where about five thousand people benefitted from the exercise.
According to the national President of the diaspora organisation, they decided to travel home from the United States to contribute their quota at home, adding that the gesture which included forty successful surgeries was part of activities marking the 2025 annual convention in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
Earlier, in a remark, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna expressed the Ministry’s determination to tackle health challenges in the state and urged the Zumunta Association to key into the state government’s health insurance scheme where investment was needed to record massive improvement in the health sector.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe who noted that Governor Abdullahi Sule is happy with what the Zumunta Association, USA Incorporated is doing in complimenting government efforts toward ensuring easy access to healthcare services, declared support to the United States based group as according to him, the government’s collaboration with the Diaspora association will not only help to enhance service delivery in medical facilities, but improve the health indices in the state.
During the Zumunta Golf Classic Tournament at the Lafia Golf Club organised to raise funds for scholarships to indigent students, Dr. Akabe expressed his excitement over the positive impact the week-long activities of the Zumunta Association have had on many lives in the state and encouraged other notable organizations to emulate this gesture to further the Nasarawa project.
He stated that the golf tournament aligns with their administration’s commitment to sports development in the state and pledged increased support for the Lafia Golf Club.
According to him, Nasarawa State is fortunate to have a member of the Zumunta Association serving as Governor, highlighting that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s experience in the corporate sector has significantly contributed to the impressive advancements observed in all sectors.
State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Kwanta Yakubu, however, assured that the ministry would give golf the attention it deserves, providing citizens with opportunities to thrive in sports and confirming a partnership with the Zumunta Association in this endeavor.
Our correspondent reports that the week long activities by the United States charity group culminated in a gala night organized by Nasarawa State Government in honour of members of the association, where Governor Abdullahi Sule challenged them to be steadfast towards sustaining the motive behind the establishment of the Association.
Counting on the love and unity among members of the association whose passion for the development of Northern Nigeria and the country at large stands out, Governor Sule enjoined them to continue to be steadfast towards advancing the course of the association.
It was in this regard that the President of the Association, Sunday Bitrus assured that the members would continue to pursue the goals of the association which is all about humanity and commitment to societal development.
The Zumunta President, therefore, identified the ability of Governor Abdullahi Sule to make a difference in governance by putting in place policies and programmes as well as enhancing the infrastructural base of Nasarawa State, affirming that such efforts clearly aligns with the vision of the Association, just as presentation of awards to the Governor and members of the United States Based Zumunta Association held sway.
Today the Zumunta Association has become a household name to be reckoned with among diaspora based associations that are making an impact as an umbrella association of northern Nigerians across the United States of America.
Established thirty five years ago, the Zumunta Association, USA Incorporated is committed to pushing the ideals of the association which was formed on the basis of unity and development.
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