International year of volunteers 2001 inaugurated in Nasarawa State
 The role of Non Governmental
Organizations [NGO’s] in the development of any society cannot be
over-emphasized. Governor Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa State made this assertion
while inaugurating the board of the International Year of Volunteers [IYV] 2001,
in Lafia on Wednesday, May 23, 2001.
The International Year of Volunteers
2001 is an initiative of the Child Rights Foundation [CRF] and the United
Nations Development Programme [UNDP] aimed at ensuring that those in positions
of leadership provide selfless service for the benefit of their communities.
Governor Adamu said that the dwindling
resources at the disposal of governments all over the world meant that
individuals should provide selfless services for the amelioration of the various
problems that assail society and people.
 Government he said will support any
initiative that will bring about the economic emancipation of the downtrodden
populace. In this respect, Governor Adamu publicly associated himself with the
initiatives of the Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajia Khadijat Adamu, in her
efforts to sensitize people to the virtues of self-help and accountability. He
therefore urged citizens of Nasarawa State to join this and other NGO’s in the
pursuit of excellence in service.
Earlier, the First Lady of Nasarawa
State and wife to Governor Adamu, Hajia Khadijat Abdullahi Adamu, had in her
capacity as the Executive Director of the CRF, appealed to the audience to
consider ways in which they could contribute their own quota to the economic
well-being of the state.
She said that the CRF was set up to
protect the rights of the unborn child, ensure their survival and participation
in activities that concern them and to fight child abuse in consonance with the
UN charter on the rights of the child. These ideals she stated, were being
achieved through various public awareness programmes such as plays and drama,
media programmes and advocacy visits.
In the same vein, the representative of
Professor Adebayo Adedeji, the Country Director of IYV 2001, Dr. Mugani, stated
that the purpose of IYV 2001 was to build bridges of hope for coming generations
through ensuring that current leaders offer selfless service for their peoples.
He then advocated the governments should pay close attention to the issues of
gender sensitization, environment and HIV/AIDS.
The ceremony, which was held at the
Ibrahim Abacha Youth Center, attracted a large delegation of women groups and
women opinion leaders including Hajia Amina Abubakar and Mrs. Silas Janfa.
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