By DADA AYOKHAI
An umbrella body of Edo North people in diaspora under the auspices of Afenmai World Congress Inc (AWC) based in the United States of America, yesterday, donated the sum of N 12 million to the Edo State government as part of its contribution in combating crime and criminality in the state.
The President of the AWC, Mrs. Fatima Dankano, who announced the donation during the body’s courtesy visit to the deputy governor of the state, Phillip Shuaib, at the Government House, Benin, said the AWC is willing to partner with the state government to ensure security becomes topnotch in the state.
She said the bulk of the donation is expected to go into the procurement of “soft” security gadgets which would greatly improve and strengthen the state’s security network.
Dankano eulogized the efforts of the state government in tackling the security challenges which has confronted it since the inception of the administration, stating that the donation is an added impetus to help the state overcome its present security challenges.
Dankakn also commended the security agencies and the vigilantes for their yeoman’s job in fighting insecurity and assured that they will continue to enjoy the support of the AWC until all the criminal elements are “hunted down and made to pay the price of their nefarious activities”.
According to her, the Afenmai in Diaspora are as worried as those of them at home about the worsening security situation in the country and that they felt there is a need to collaborate with the state government in taming the menace hence the decision to donate to reinvigorate the security apparatus in the state.
On his part, the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu
Hon Shaibu appreciated the gesture of the AWC, stressing that, it was the first of such a “show of support” by a body outside the shores of the country
He advised similar bodies to emulate what the AWC did by partnering the government in combating crime and criminality in the state.
Shaibu, said the body is living up to its mandate as envisaged by founders of the umbrella body.
