Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has empowered a bricklayer-widow in Gwoza Local Council with N250,000 cash, as well as grinding and sewing machines.

The support for Amina Abdullahi, a 41-year-old mother of four and an internally displaced person (IDP) returnee, followed the killing of her husband by Boko Haram insurgents in 2016.

After her husband’s death, Amina has borne the burden of raising her children while trekking daily from the IDP camp to the Wala Housing Estate (WAHC), where she works as a bricklayer on the construction of 300 houses for IDP returnees.

She maintained that becoming a bricklayer is more dignified than continually relying on government handouts in the IDP camps of Gwoza and Pulka, a border community with Cameroon.

Presenting the cash and empowerment tools on Wednesday in Gwoza, Ndume, represented by the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said: “Today’s cash and empowerment support from Senator Ndume was to cushion the economic hardships of Amina and her children.”

He added that the grinding and sewing machines would ensure the widow and her children become self-reliant in the community. The monarch also urged wealthy individuals and philanthropists to emulate the senator.

According to him, Ndume has demonstrated unwavering commitment to grassroots empowerment of vulnerable populations in the council. In addition, the Emir, Timta, gifted Amina sets of wrappers, while the Council Chairman, Abdullahi Danjatau, donated N50,000 to support the widow who has defied the odds rather than remain in an IDP camp.

An excited Amina, accompanied by friends and family, expressed gratitude to the legislator, Emir and council chairman for not only the N250,000 cash but also the empowerment machines that would enable her to send her children to school and complete their education.