By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Renowned human rights activist, Comrade Shehu Sani, has been described as the “custodian of people’s rights” whose resilience and determination had helped in shaping the mindset of the common man in the country about their fundamental rights.
This was disclosed in Jos, the Plateau state capital, at the annual Islamic Counselling Initiative of Nigeria (ICIN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), 2014 Pacesetters Award presentation, and graduation of its maiden sets of 60 women and youths trained in various skills from its learning centre.
The ICIN humanitarian award for the year 2014, which was presented to Comrade Sani, by the organisation’s Board of Trustees (BoT) President, Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman, who said the choice of Comrade Sani for the award was in appreciation of his immense contributions towards cushioning the effect of hardship on the common man.
Sani, who was represented by Comrade Audu Abdullahi, while accepting the award, commended ICIN for its years of humanitarian support through peace work, women and youth empowerments amongst other activities that had direct bearing on human lives.
The media peace and unity award of the year was presented to the maiden broadcast outfit, the Unity FM radio station, that according to ICIN, had within the shortest period of its evolution “been promoting the cause of peace and unity among the various people in Plateau state, through its non-discriminatory programming in Hausa and English.”
Several other corporate organisations and individuals were also honoured. In her speech, ICIN president and coordinator, Hajiya Fatima Suleiman, said the organisation found it necessary to fashion out means of supporting women and youths aimed at reducing the scourge of poverty in the society.
She said: “We find joy in identifying corporate organisations and individuals who are into humanitarian and other developmental stride for the well being of the less privilege in the society.
“The award presentation to the selected organisations and individuals is just an expression of appreciation and urging recipients to do more in their efforts.”
Hajiya Fatima urged the beneficiaries of the skills acquisition programme to “deploy the acquired skills to meaningful enterprises in other to reduce youth restiveness in the society.”
Highlighting some of their successes in the past six years, the coordinator said they had recorded modest achievements in promoting girl child education, annual food basket that cater for the needs of the less privileged, health initiative programme, as well as capacity building of school teachers for quality education amongst others.
The event featured presentation of certificates to graduates of the skills acquisition, as well as displayed of some materials produced by the trainees.