The Justice Development and Peace Commission with support from a German-based Newspaper Dei Zeit newspaper’s donors’ management has donated cash to 200 victims kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014 and later rescued.
Each of the victims received N150,000,00.
Making the presentation at the Catholic secretariat Yola, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Dr Stephen Dami Mamza said the beneficiaries are from Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North and South local governments irrespective of religion or tribal difference.
Bishop Mamza recalled that the abduction of over two hundred schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok town of Borno state in 2014 had sparked international outrage and brought attention to the plight of women and girls in conflict-ridden areas through reportage by media organizations.
According to him, among the media that shed light on the situation and bring about change are German Investigative Journalist Wolfgang Bauer and the Zeit newspapers, who gave in-depth reporting on the atrocities committed by Boko Haram and the struggles faced by the women who were abducted.
He added that the Zeit newspaper, with its wide readership and reputation for in-depth reporting, provided a platform for Bauer who came to Nigeria to share his reportage, saying the publication of Bauer’s articles and reports in the Zeit drew the attention of the international community regarding the crisis in Nigeria and the plight of the abducted women.
“This coverage helped to raise awareness and mobilize support for the women and girls affected by Boko Haram’s actions
“Through their efforts, Wolfgang Bauer and the Zeit newspaper contributed to a greater understanding of the situation and increased support for the abducted women.
“Their reports and articles helped to put pressure on the Nigerian government and the international community to take action to address the crisis and to work towards the release and rehabilitation of the abducted women.
“The contributions of Wolfgang Bauer and the Zeit newspaper were instrumental in shedding light on the plight of the women abducted by Boko Haram in 2014,” he said.
Bishop Mamza thanked the donor for the gesture, noting that it will go a long way to cushion their hardship, particularly during this economic hardship as a result of fuel subsidy.
He called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the money to better their lives and their families.
In a remark, the state chairman Muslims Council Alhaji Gambo Jika lauded the efforts of the Bishop and the donors in supporting the victims of insurgency in the state and appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money to empower themselves and their communities.
Some of the beneficiaries Aisha Umar and Justina Williams promise to use the money for the intended purpose.
