By AbdulRaheem Aodu Kaduna
Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, have pledged their support as Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state launched Yasmin El-Rufai Foundation (YELF) amidst tears. El-Rufai who, launched the Foundation in honour of his late daughter, broke down in tears during the event held at Kaduna International Trade Fair, while describing her as “a wonderful child” who had passion for the less privileged in the society.
He said the Foundation, which is privately run was focused on creative writing and women literacy programmes, aimed to improve the literacy skills among women and children. “As I was watching the documentary, I cannot control tears in my eyes. She was a wonderful daughter. Apart from Yasmin, we also lost a son. The Foundation is being run privately. We will continue to support creative initiatives in Kaduna,” he said. Wife of Kaduna state Governor, Hadiza Isma, said she set up the Foundation in her late daughter’s name to immortalise her and to keep her creative vision alive.
She said the Foundation literacy programme was targeted at women “who cannot write and speak English,” adding that the Foundation apart from organising workshops “will also establish creative writing clubs in schools to nurture young boys and girls.” Wife of President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, who was represented by former Plateau state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Pauline Talen, in her tribute, said the Foundation “is timely and a welcome development.’ She called on parents to nurture their children in creative skills. Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations, Amina Mohammed, in her message, said education “holds the key to poverty eradication,” stressing that quality education must be promoted to bring back out of school children. “UN will continue to support the education of our children because it is the only key to eradicate poverty in the society. We commend the founder of Yasmin El-Rufai Foundation (YELF) for providing creative skills to the young ones,” she said.
