SOS Children’s Villages Empowers 500 Borno Flood Victims

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the SOS Children’s Villages, has graduated 500 youths trained in barbing, cap making, soap making, and petroleum jelly production in its post-flood recovery programme in Borno State.

The group’s programme helped to address the humanitarian crisis created by the September 10, 2024, flood in Maiduguri and its environs by supporting the affected youths and families.

At the ceremony and handing over of starter packs to the youths at the Muhammad Indimi International Conference Hall, University of Maiduguri, the programme manager of SOS Children’s Villages, Adams Suleiman, noted that Maiduguri and its environs experienced one of their most severe natural disasters in recent times in 2024.

Suleiman recalled that floods devastated communities, destroying homes, farmlands, and small businesses, stressing that livelihoods were swept away, leaving families in acute distress and young people with limited prospects for the future.

He said that for many, the path to recovery appeared uncertain and out of reach. Hence, in response to this crisis, SOS Children’s Villages mobilised its humanitarian expertise and long-standing commitment to the protection and empowerment of vulnerable children, families, and communities.

He said that through its Family Strengthening Programme in Borno State, SOS Children’s Villages implemented a targeted post-flood recovery initiative to restore stability, foster resilience, and create sustainable opportunities.

He said the programme provided entrepreneurship skills training to empower the youths with the knowledge and tools needed to start or grow their businesses. He added that the initiative supported vulnerable children and families, focusing on protection and empowerment.

“By investing in youth, the programme contributed to the overall development and stability of communities in Borno State,” he said.

Narrating the impact of the programme, Hauwa Abdullahi, a 22-year-old graduate of the programme, said her family lost their farm and business due to the floods, noting that with the skills she acquired through the programme, she can start a small business and start providing for her family and inspiring others in her community.

Similarly, Monica Raymond, one of the graduands, recalled the hopelessness the flood of September rendered her and her family. She said that the training she had acquired in soap making, in addition to the starter packs given to her by the SOS Children’s Villages, has made her optimistic that the future is bright for her and her family.

Commending SOS Children’s Villages, Modu Mustapha, who acquired barbing skills from the training, expressed gratitude for the training and the barbing equipment, such as a generator, clippers, a special barbing chair, and other items, given to him by the NGO at their graduation.

In appreciation, the Borno State commissioner for women affairs and social development, Hajiya Zuwira Gambo, who was represented by the direct Child in the Ministry, Bawagana Kyari, said it was joyous to see the youths who had suffered the brunt of the flood not only trained on various skills but also going home with starter packs for self-reliance.

She urged the youths to make judicious use of the starter packs to better their lives and those of their families.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Borno State, DCP Abdullahi Bello, who took the graduands on safety measures in business, emphasised the importance of practical education against much of the theoretical in the modern world.