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DPAT FOUNDATION HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR 2026 TWO-WEEKS FREE SKILL EMPOWERMENT TRAINEES

May 19, 2026By Content Team0 comment

It was a day of colourful display of varieties of products ranging from beautifully made dresses and fashion accessories such as hand bags and head gear to arrays of varieties of local delicacies and spices like Awara in its various preparations, Masa, Yaji as well as oriental snacks like Samosa, Spring roll, Puff-puff and Small chops. These were produced by the participating women during the two-week skill empowerment classes. The items were carefully displayed for exhibition at the graduation ceremonies which held on the 23^RD of April, 2026 at the DPat Foundation’s secretariat, Gwagwalada Abuja FCT.

The graduation ceremonies attracted the presence of guests and personalities from the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in the persons of Mrs. Hauwa Umar, the AGM of the AEA, Bala Tsokwa and Amina M. Bello. Other guests include the Gwagwalada Area Council Executive Chairman-Elect, Hon. Mohamed Kasim Ikwa, ably represented by the serving Quarters Ward Councilor, Hon. Nuhu Usman and the FCT Youth Leader, Hon. (Amb.) Umar Makeri. Other guests include: Apostle Mrs. Precious Godson Ohiwerei (JP), Barrister Samson Enesi as well as the CEO of Eqaulrights Educational Services, Mr. Musa Paul K., among others.

In her welcoming address, the National President, DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey JP, highly commended the participants for faithfully participating in the two-week training from start to finish in various trades. She praised them for choosing growth over excuses and challenged them to start their own business immediatelt. She encouraged them to start small and start now. She promised that DPat Foundation will not stop its relationship with them with this recorded success. She assured the participants that the certificate being awarded them is not a paper but a passport to dignity, self-reliance and job creation. She further charged them to do their best to be known for excellence in their chosen trades. According to her, DPat Foundation is not about giving people fish but teaching people how to catch fish themselves.

The president also expressed her heart-felt appreciation to the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), who has being a very consistent partner since inception, for their presence and continuous partnership and support. She hinted that out of the 185 people registered for the training at the kick-off event, 100 people started the training proper. 65 people graduated. However, both the registration and the training were done free-of-charge.

On her own part, Mrs. Hauwa Umar of the Abuja Enterprise Agency commended the President of DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey for her tireless services to humanity. She assured the president, the foundation and the newly graduated trainees of the agency’s continuous support and partnership.

The Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman-Elect, Hon. Mohammed Kazim Ikwa, In his speech delivered by the Quarters Ward Councilor, Hon. Nuhu Usman promised DPat Foundation that the new incoming area council administration, to be led by Hon. Mohammed Kazim Ikwa, will carry DPat Foundation along in its activities and will work assiduously with the foundation to reach the grassroots. According to Hon. Nuhu Usman, the incoming chairman, Hon. Kasim Ikwa is a man of action who does what he says. In his own capacity, Hon. Nuhu Usman, who said he has known Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey and her selfless services for over 30 years pledged to donate two sewing machines and a sum of two hundred thousand naira to the foundation.

Apostle Mrs. Precious Godson Ohiwerei, in her goodwill message praised the president of DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey for her unyielding commitment to women and youths empowerment. She said she has known Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey since 1997 and has always known her for her good works of empowering women and youths with trades skills at no cost to the beneficiaries. She also commended her for the other great humanitarian works she is doing, especially, PROJECT60, the DPat Foundation Scholarship Scheme for indegent rural children through which over 60 chidldren are currently being sponsored through school (from primary to secondary school).

She appealed to the Abuja Enterprise Agency and other government and private partners to come to the aid of both the foundation and the founder/president, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey. She said that Elder Mrs. Ardey will be 70 years of age this year and it was through her humanitarian and community outreaches that they both met three decades ago. Since then she has never slowed down nor rested but has rather gained further momentum tirelessly carrying out her humanitarian and community works through the foundation, crisscrossing the lengths and breath of rural communities on foot.

Apostle Ohiwerei, further appealed to the stakeholders and partners such as the Abuja Enterprise Agency and other government and corporate bodies and individuals to extend a helping hand to the foundation and its founder especially in the area of mobility as they move from community to community helping the grassroots. DPat Foundation, she said, seriously and urgently need a motor vehicle for the work. She insisted that it is not too much for a bus to be donated to the foundation by its partners. According to her DPat Foundation has never owned a bus in spite of all the sacrifices and selfless works it has carried out with great positive impacts across communities. Rather it has depended on public transport system which is very inconvenient and limiting.

Several graduating trainees in the different trades (tailoring/fashion, local dishes and catering) lauded the two-week programme, describing it as a worthwhile experience. Those who testified on behalf of the rest said that with their newly acquired skill they can now start a business. They thanked DPat Foundation, the founder/president and the team for the opportunity given to them to gain these skills for free. The beneficiaries were mostly widows, single mothers and underemployed young and older women.

The event climaxed at the mini exhibitions where the guests were conducted round the tables displaying varieties of local and continental snacks as well as dresses, bags and other fashion accessories and crafts produced by the trainees. In his votes of thanks Barrister Samson Enesi appreciated the women for publicly acknowledging and appreciation the fact that the training was given them free without a dime collected from them by DPat Foundation. He said that by so doing they are encouraging intending partners and sponsors to come in and support the foundation so it can do more and better.

More images from the evnt in the gallery below

DPATFOUNDATION FLAGS OFF 2026/2027SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 100 WOMEN AND YOUTHS

May 13, 2026By Content Team0 comment

The flag off event of the 2026/2027 edition of DPat Foundation’s free skill training programme was held on the 10th of February 2026 at the Mass Literacy Centre, Gwagwalada, Abuja FCT. The programme with the theme, Building Skills, Creating Livelihood, was organized in conjunction with the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) and the Rufus Ebebga Centre for Leadership and Environmental Sustainability. The event attracted the presence of numerous guests and dignitaries from various government agencies and private bodies, including the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), the Rufus Ebebga Centre for Leadership and Environmental Sustainability, the Cooperative Department, FCT Agriculture and Rural-Development Secretariat, the Nigeria Women Economic Development (NigWED), the Agriculture and Rural Development Project (ADP), FADAMA-Care, the Police Community Relations Commission (PCRC) and the Paultary Farmers Association.

Others include the Gwagwalada Market Traders Association, the Nature Renaissance International Ltd., etc. Various traditional rulers and village heads who were also present include the Aguma of Giri, Bello Sariki the village head of Iddo Sarki, the Sarki sa’ana of Gwagwalada, among others. Speaking during her formal welcoming address, the national president of DPat Foundation (NGO), Elder (Mrs.) Patience Ardey JP, said that the event was designed with one clear goal in mind, “To empower women and young people with practical income generating skills that will enable them become self-reliant, entrepreneurial and economically active within their communities.” She said that women and youths will not only change their own lives, but will also uplift their own families, strengthen their own communities and contribute positively to national economy when they are equipped with required entrepreneurial skills and given the necessary supports. She stressed that the skills to be gained are those that can be immediately applied to create sustainable livelihood.

She further extended her heart felt appreciation to the partners and collaborators of the programmes whose supports have made the programme possible. These partners include, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). According to her, the NDE have been a long standing partner of DPat Foundation. These partners include, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). According to her, the NDE have been a long standing partner of DPat Foundation. The partnership goes way back to 1987 when the directorate was newly established, and through them DPAT Foundation has trained over ten thousand

women and youths in various trade skills, many of whom were also empowered with equipment to start their own businesses.

Another strong and longstanding partner of the foundationis the Abuja Enterprise Agency, (AEA), who she said has been a strong partner since 2006 and have given grants of up to four hundred thousand naira each to 50 entrepreneurs through DPat Foundation. She also revealed that the AEA is a one-stop shop centre for small businesses to get access services from other agencies like NAFDAC, SON, CAC etc., for those who come through DPat Foundation. This is besides the technical supports that our entrepreneurs have enjoyed over the years from them. Other partners include, the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Bank of Industry, Fadama-Care who provided agricultural inputs to over 200 farmers through DPat Foundation in 2024. The Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Airwaves and other supporting partners.

She concluded by thanking and assuring the guests and participants of DPat Foundation’s commitment to transparency, accountability and measurable impacts with the vision to continue creating opportunities that will empower individuals thereby reducing poverty among women and youths. The two-week training programme is designed to train 100 women and youths in various trade skills.

The Abuja Enterprise Agency presented a lecture titled Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). The representative of the agency, Mr. Bala Sokwa, in his presentation, spoke on the meaning and importance of SMEs in the economy. Hesaid that SMEs employ a large percentage of the working population and empowers youths and women and therefore, having one own business is the solution to the harsh economic reality that even paid employees are faced with today. He explained that limited business skills, poor access to funding, weak digital and marketing skills, among other factors, are the limitations of SMEs.

He further stressed that usiness management trainings for small traders, financial literacy, digital skills for youth-led startups, among other things, are the keys to successful SMEs as trained entrepreneurs are sure to grow stable businesses successfully. He also emphasized the roles of the Abuja Enterprise Agency whichinclude skill development and capacity building, business formalization and advisory supports, access to finance and grants among others.

On their own part, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) also presented a speech titled, Benefits of Skill Acquisition. The speech was delivered by Dr. Hassn Abdulkareem Abdulhakim who represented the organization. In his lecture Dr. Hassan earnestly appealed to the participants to take the training very seriously and set goals for themselves and work hard towards it with perseverance and determination. He expressed concerns over the low skill levels among Nigerian job seekers and therefore, encouraged the intending trainees to take the opportunity presented to them with all seriousness. He said the training will be a stepping stone to success for them if they take it seriously. He also challenged DPat Foundation to ensure that the training is qualitative enough to meet the required standard.

In her own lecture, representative of the FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Abdusallam Mondia, stressed the importance of women forming and belonging to cooperative societies. She said that women today are thebackbones of many household economies. According to her, it is cooperatives that are helping many women, even those in paid employments, to handle the challenges of household finances. She urged the women to try and become more self-reliant by being part of the DPat Foundation cooperatives. She also appealed to the relevant bodies and other organizations and individuals to come to the aid of DPAT Foundation as the foundation is doing so much to help women. She said that the founder and president of DPat Foundation, Elder Patience Ardey is making a lot of personal sacrifices in ensuring that women and youths are economically empowered and therefore, should be given the needed supports by relevant government bodies, organisations and individuals.

The representative of the Director of ADP, Mrs. Justina Ogumelen, in her goodwill message said that in other places people pay to be part of this kind of opportunity. She therefore encouraged the participants to take the opportunity with all seriousness. Mr. Ado of the Fadama N-Care, representing the Fadama N-Care coordinator, Chief Philip Ojokojo, in his goodwill message acknowledged Dapt Foundation’s performance in the past Fadama N-Care free farm inputs distributions to farmers and promised further that the Fadama N-Care will continue to partner with DPat Foundation.

The representative of project NigWED (the Nigeria Women Empowerment Development), Lugard O. Okonobo, made a presentation on the newly launched Tri-tractor for farmers, especially, women farmers. According to him, the tri-tractor was locally manufactured, so it is easy and cheap to maintain. The tri-tractor is available for farmers everywhere within the FCT for renting. The FCT PCRC Command Chairman, former DG, Biosafety Agency and the founder, Rufus Ebegba Centre for Leadership and Environmental Sustainability and a partner to DPat Foundation, Dr. Rufus Ebegba was present to grace the occasion while the Area Command Chairman, PCRC, Gwagwalada, Elder Ajayi Taofik, who was also present, spoke at the event, advising the youths and women on security and safety.

The event concluded with the official presentation of over 100 intending trainees.

Dpat Multipurpose Cooperative Union’sNew Savings, Thrifts and Loan Office Opens in Dukpa

September 15, 2025By Content Team0 comment

It was another landmark achievement on Saturday, 14th June, 2025 for DPat Foundation (NGO) as its Cooperative Union arm inaugurated its first savings, thrifts and loan centre in Dukpa village of Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Although, the event started slightly behind schedule due to the early morning rain, the turn out from the host community was impressive. Dukpa which happens to be one of the hubs of activities of DPat Foundation is an ideal choice of place to kick-start what is envisioned to be replicated in other remote communities. Serving as a pilot project, the centre will cater to the needs of nano entrepreneurs who need urgent soft loads to enhance and expand their existing businesses.

Speaking at the event, the national president and founder of DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey gave a brief history of DPat Foundation and how it all started. According to her, she was heartbroken over the plights of young ladies in the FCT in the mid and late 1980s who had neither jobs nor skills but operated as commercial sex workers. As a fashion designer she began by training them in fashion designing and then later, skill acquisition training in other trades followed. This continued and gave birth to DPat Foundation. Since inception, the foundation has empowered thousands of girls, women and youths, she said.

The establishment of the savings, thrifts and loan centre becomes necessary because, seeing the impacts of the NGO, especially, the grants and the free farm inputs from the AEA and FCT-FADAMA CARE programmes respectively, more women and farmers have not only indicated interest in the foundation’s Cooperative union, but also a place where they can get

urgent fund for their small businesses. Dukpa, being one of the communities whose members benefitted the most from the FADAMA CARE programme has more other members who indicated their needs to fund their small businesses and farms. At the end of her speech, participants at the event asked several questions bothering on mode of operation of the outfit, criteria and eligibility for accessing the loan as well as amount that can be assessed, repayment plans etc., The questions and doubts expressed by the participants were duly cleared by the president, Elder Mrs. Ardey.

The national president, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey, also used the avenue to present a letter of appointment to the Nassarawa State Chapter of the foundation, Mrs. Deborah Nikre. She hinted that Nassarawa State Chapter which was inaugurated barely four months ago (precisely, on the 27th of February) has experienced considerable growth and progress under the watch of Mrs. Nikre.The president commended the new state chapter coordinator for her commitment to the work within the last four months. In her acceptance speech, the Nassarawa State Coordinator appreciated the president for her confidence in her and hinted that for almost within one year of hearing about DPat Foundation and its numerous impacts, she worked tirelessly to make sure such works and impacts are replicated in Nassarawa State. And so without even meeting Elder Pateince Ardey face to face, she was already rallying women in her community and orienting them about the foundation. By the time she and Elder Mrs. Ardey got to see face to face, the Nassarawa State group was up and standing with several women registered. She said they are set to maximize the DPat platform and make its presence more felt in that state as it is in the FCT, if not more. She challenged and urged everyone on the platform to do their best in contributing to the growth and progress of the foundation. The programme climaxed at the cutting of the ribbon carried out by the ECWA Reverend Pastor Sale Able who prayed earnestly that the outfit will positively impact and enhance the Dukpa community’s economic life.

The Zarki of Dukpa, representing the traditional chief of Dukpa, and one other community member from Ibwa 2, a neighbouring community, gave the votes of thanks. They both appreciated the self-less efforts of Elder Mrs. Ardey and the DPat Foundation team and prayed that the thrifts, savings and loan centre will prosper and achieve its objectives. The event was brought to a close with prayers.

Photos from the event

Agro-ecology Training on Sack Farming/Home Garden and Financial Literacy for Women, Youths and People with Special Needs

September 12, 2025By Content Team0 comment

A Programme Organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)

The programme which took place in Minna, Niger State on the 28th May 2025 was well attended by women and youths from different parts of the country. As usual, Dpat Foundation was also on ground, represented by one of our ownc, Patience Oiza Fache, who represented the Dpat Foundation, Dpat Cooperative Union. The training workshop was focused on agro-ecology practices through sack farming/home gardening and financial literacy.

The event was specifically designed to empower women from various Cooperative groups , youth, and women with special needs with practical agricultural skills and essential knowledge of financial management. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to promote food security, economic self-reliance, and inclusive development communities.

Objectives of the Training

The core objectives of the training were:
To introduce participants to sustainable farming techniques using limited space (sack farming/home gardening).
To enhance knowledge of agro-ecological principlesthat promote environmental sustainability.
To empower vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities, with skills that improve livelihood and food security.

The training recorded active participation from various geopolitical zones In Nigeria. Women, youths and women with special needs where present. Efforts were made to ensure inclusivity, with accessibility considerations such as sign language interpretation and simplified materials for visually impaired participants.

Training Modules and Activities
Participants were introduced to the various princinples, practice and techniques involved in sack farming as parts of the training modules. This include:
· The principles of agro-ecology: soil health, biodiversity and organic inputs.
· Sustainable vegetable farming
· Practical sessions on sack farming: how to set up a sack garden, select appropriate crops (e.g., leafy greens, tomatoes, yam), and manage pests naturally.
· Sustainable yam production and food security.
· Home garden planning: using household waste for composting, and organic fertilizer.
· Soil health and management.

Outcomes and Impact
· Skills Acquired: Participants demonstrated clear understanding of sack farming and financial planning.
· Motivation Boosted: Many women and youth expressed renewed confidence in their ability to start home-based farming businesses.

· Participants were divided into small groups, according to their states and regions, and each participant received a starter kit (sack, vegetable seedlings, tomato seeds, rope , and yam seeds) with a spade.

The agro-ecology training on sack farming/home gardening and financial literacy has proven to be a practical, and impactful initiative. Its ability to empower and equip women, youths and people with special needs with the tools and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to food security and local economic growth was clearly demonstrated among the participants during the training.

A REPORT ON THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE FARMERS LOAN SENSITIZATION SEMINAR

September 9, 2025By Content Team0 comment

THEME: “Unlocking Opportunities for Agricultural Growth.”

The DPat Co-operative Union oversees numerous co-operative groups spreading across several rural and urban communities in the FCT, especially in Gwagwalada Area council. Through this platform, DPat Foundation has consistently helped to link rural women, youths and farmers to access financial facilities from government agencies and relevant institutions. It was on such ground and in furtherance of its objective of empowering the grassroots that the Foundation recently organized a seminar to sensitize rural farmers on the Bank of Agriculture’s farmer’s loan application process and benefits.

The seminar on the sensitization of farmers on the farmer’s loan application process and benefits, which was organized in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), took place in Gwagwalada on the 10^th of April, 2025. The event was attended by several guests and dignitaries from the Bank of Agriculture itself, the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), to mention a few. Farmers who have indicated interest and applied for the loan were present in their numbers. About twenty groups from several rural and suburb communities such as Dobi, Dukpa, Ibwa 2, Anagada, Quarters Ward, Gwagwalada, to mention a few, were present at the event.

In her welcome address, the president and founder of DPat Foundation thanked the officials of the Bank of Agriculture for their continuous confidence in DPat Foundation and for their supports and partnership over the years. She explained the core purpose of the BOA farmer’s loan programme and earnestly appealed to the farmers to judiciously use the money for the purpose for which it will be given. She reminded them that this is a loan which must be paid back and not a grant. She said that even if one member of a group defaults in repaying the loan when repayment is due, it will hinder the rest of the group members from obtaining further loan from the bank.

Mrs. Ardey went memory lane to intimate guests and participants at the events that DPat Foundation has recorded many milestones over the years in its quest helping and empowering and linking the populace at the grassroots levels with relevant government agencies for empowerment in the form of soft loans or grants. According to her, many individuals through the DPat Foundation’s platform and cooperative union have benefited from such loans and grants in the past and even in recent times.

Speaking on the process and the benefits of accessing the farmer’s loan, one of the BOA officials present, Mr. Isaiah Ohaba, spoke intensively on the purpose of the loan, emphasizing that the farmer’s loan is meant to assist farmers to maximize outputs thereby contributing to food security, household and national economy. Mr. Ohaba gave a brief overview of the purpose and mission of the Bank of Agriculture. He said that the bank which was established more than fifty years ago, and which is the largest agricultural financial institution in Nigeria, has helped empowered farmers at various levels and consequently contributed to food security and national economic growth enormously in the past five decades.

He urged the farmers not to use the loan to acquire more wives or to build house but to strictly use it for agricultural purpose while assuring them that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the loan is made available to them timely enough to use as the raining season has almost arrived.

Mrs. Amina also, an official of the Bank of Agriculture, threw more light on the scheme. Speaking partly in Hausa language in order to make the message clearer and more understandable to the local farmers, she pointed out the differences between grants and loans. According to her, unlike grants that are not to be paid back, the farmer’s loan is a loan and it must be repaid back with interest. She therefore earnestly urged the farmers to ensure that they use the money strictly for the purpose for which it will be given, which is farming. The quests and speakers also welcomed questions, observations and contributions from the audience whose doubts and reservations were thoroughly addressed.

Mr. Bala Tsokwa from Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in his speech as a representative of the agency at the event, gave interesting information about the activities of the Abuja Enterprise Agency. According to him, the agency is there to attend to the needs of MSMEs, business people and farmers at an advisory level. He revealed that the agency has carried out several community development projects and as well has continued to work in partnership with other relevant government agencies to help small businesses. He encouraged the audience to take advantage of the services of the agency that are designed to help them in their business endeavours. Abuja Enterprise Agency is a major and longstanding partner of DPat Foundation whose supportive roles have brought major benefits to members of the DPat Cooperative Union in such areas as technical supports and grants.

The guests were later conducted round the exhibition stands of the farmers. The farmer further received advises on how to improve on their businesses at personal levels from the guests who visited their stands one after the other.

See photos of exhibitions by the farmers below:

See photos of some of the various cooperative groups that were in attendance below:

DPAT FOUNDATION INAUGURATES NASSARAWA STATE CHAPTER

September 4, 2025By Content Team0 comment

In furtherance of the quest to reach more grassroots women, youths and farmers, Dpat Foundation has inaugurated a state chapter in Nassarawa State, one of the North Central states of Nigeria. With its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory where the national foundation’s national headquarter is located, Nassarawa State is an ideal place to extend our growing tentacles in our quest to reach more grassroots.

The inauguration which took place in Akwanga, a major town in Nassarawa State, on the 27th of February, 2025, drew the attention of many women from within the area. The Nassarawa State Chapter Coordinator, Deborah Nikre, who welcomed the National President, Elder Mrs. Ardey also thanked her for coming and for her tireless efforts to empower grassroots women.

Speaking to the women, the National President, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey, emphasized the need for women to be part of a platform like Dpat Foundation and Dpat Cooperative Union which have over the years helped a lot of women to access grants and soft loans for their small businesses. She particularly placed emphasis on the importance and the advantages of being an active member of the cooperative. According to her, cooperatives are there to empower members who are in financial needs. Before or even without looking up to other financial other outfits or government agencies for helps, cooperatives are meant to have their own pool of resources from which they can come to the rescue of members who are in need. However, such members must be financially committed.

She further encouraged the women to be committed and also invite other women to be part of the foundation and its cooperative union. The event went on amidst enthusiasm and was concluded with anticipations by members and intending members who were in attendance.

THE WORLD BANK DELEGATE’S VISIT

June 19, 2025By Content Team0 comment

On the 3rd of February, 2025, Dpat Foundation hosted a delegate from the World Bank in Dukpa village, one of the commuities of Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT. The delegate’s visit was part of the assessment and evaluation of the World Bank-backed FADAMA-Care programme and the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) grants from which Dpat Cooperative members have benefitted. Officials of FADAMA-Care and AEA were also on ground as the World Bank delegate’s interacted with the beneficiaries of both the FADAMA-Care programme and AEA grants to ascertain if the materials and funds truly got to them.

Over 200 farmers and entrepreneurs under DPat Cooperative Union had benefitted from the World Bank sponsored programe during the second and third quarters of 2024. While FADAMA gave the farmers free farm inputs such as fertilizer, chemicals, sprayers, seeds, day-old chicks, poultry feeds, fish feed, grinding machines etc., AEA on its part gave out financial grants o the entrepreneurs. The delegates and officials were highly impressed by the turn out of the members of the community, which was an evidence of the positive impacts of the programme.

Members of the World Bank delegate and officials of FADAMA Care and AEA later met with the farmers and the community leaders and encouraged by the fact that the materials and grants given to them were judiciously utilized towards food security and job creation.

The community members and leaders appreciated the World Bank, AEA, FCT-FADAMA for the grants and free materials received. They also thanked Dpat Foundation for making sure they got to benefit from the programmes.

HELPING RURAL FARMERS ACCESS THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE SAVINGS AND CREDIT FACILITIES

February 20, 2025By Content Team0 comment

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) is Nigeria’s largest and foremost agricultural financial institution. Established in 1972 and becoming fully operational in 1973, BOA has the mandate to provide agricultural credit facilities and other micro credit facilities to support agricultural value chain in Nigeria, especially among rural farmers. Since inception, the institution has recorded numerous landmarks in this direction through the provision of saving facilities to farmers at individual as well as at corporate (i.e., cooperative and group) levels. Another major way is by providing credit facilities to farmers, women, youths etc., through cooperatives and groups.

LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIP TO EMPOWER PEOPLE

BOA’s major strong point is an ability to reach the people through strategic partnership with reputable organizations in both the public and the private sectors. Over the years, DPat Foundation (NGO) has proven to be one of the reputable organization enjoying such strategic partnership with BOA. Several rural farmers in the past have been reached and given access to agricultural credit facilities by BOA through DPat’s Cooperatives Union as a result of DPat Foundation’s credibility as a long standing partner.

BRIDGING COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS CREATION GAPS

Over the years DPat Foundation has bridged the gaps between rural dwellers and government agencies and financial institutions like the Bank of Agriculture. Majority of the rural farmers are unaware of the existence, goals and activities of government institutions like the BOA. Through the consistent efforts of DPat Foundation however, several rural farmers in many parts of the FCT have gained such awareness and subsequently benefited from such programmes.

It was in keeping with this continuous efforts that DPat Foundation once again ensured that members of its various cooperatives who are yet to open account with the BOA, especially the new member, get to open individual savings accounts with the bank. This will help them meet up with the criteria for accessing agricultural credit facilities. Officials and staff of the bank were on ground to help open individual savings accounts for the cooperative members. The account opening exercise took place at DPat Foundation’s secretariat premises and also at various other community locations in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT in the month of February, 2025.

See more photos below.

KEEPING AN UP-CLOSE WATCH

February 18, 2025By Content Team0 comment

Dpat Foundation’s up-close watch over the children being sponsored under its Project60 Scholarship Programme, is akin to that of a mother-hen who jealously guards her chicks from birds of prey and other dangers. Besides being put through school by the foundation; the progress the children are making, the challenges that they are likely to face or are facing at any point as well as the problems that the schools they are attending could be grappling with etc., are considered by DPat Foundation as important factors that can affect the children positively or negatively. Thus the foundation takes it upon itself to play the parental role by ensuring that it is kept abreast of the academic, psychological and social welfare of these children. A major way this parental role is being carried out is through active participation in the schools’ PTA meetings and other relevant activities.

The first PTA meeting of Ibwa 2 Secondary School was held in January this year (2025) at the school’s premises with several parents/guardians of other students at the school in attendance. And as usual, DPat Foundation was present at the meeting for the children under its scholarship scheme. This first meeting of the year was basically to continue to re-orient and encourage parents and guardians at the rural communities to take the education of their children and wards seriously. Speaking during the meeting, the principal called out to the parents and guardians to put all hands on deck and contribute their own quotas towards the infrastructural and other developmental needs, growth and progress of the school as he laments the lack of adequate basic facilities like desks, chairs and other important items that are urgently needed by the school.

Some of the parents and guardians present at the meeting also spoke and made contributions on the matter. Representatives of Dpat Foundation, Mrs. Grace Daniel and Miss. Patience Fache also spoke on behalf of Dpat Foundation. Speaking on behalf of the president/founder of DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey, Mrs. Daniel reiterated the foundation’s resolves to see that everything possible that lies within the foundation’s capacity will be done to contribute towards the progress of the school and the children under its scholarship scheme. She said that educating the children today may seem stressful but the rewards ahead will be great gains to the children themselves, their families, the society and the nation at large.

Below are some photos from the meeting.

2024 IN RETROSPECT WITH GRATITUDE

December 26, 2024By Content Team0 comment

2024, as a year in review, has been an exciting year for DPat Foundation in spite of the prevailing adverse socioeconomic situation in the land. Members and beneficiaries of the foundation, without a doubt, have many reasons to look back at the year with gratitude in their hearts. The tireless labours of the founder/president, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey and her team towards helping to empower grassroots communities especially rural farmers and women, have yielded considerable results on many fronts. As the year draws to a close, we want to take the time to count our blessings while expressing our most profound appreciations, first and foremost, to God who has always been our all-round help. We extend our appreciations also to our great team of volunteers, our partners in both the public sector and the private sector.

We will not take for granted the many milestones that have been achieved in this forgoing year. A few important ones are worth mentioning. They are highlighted below

Symposium on Nano Enterprises.

On the on 7^th of March, 2024, DPAT FOUNDATION hosted numerous guests and dignitaries from various walks of life to the maiden edition of its annual symposium on nano enterprises with the theme: “WHY DO WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT NANO ENTREPRENEURS?” The event which took place in Gwagwalada , was well attended by various stake-holders from both the public and the private sectors. In attendance were guests and dignitaries from several government agencies such as National Directorate of Employment (NDE), ably represented by its FCT Coordinator, Mr. Chimereze Noble, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Agriculture Development Project (ADP), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCT, FADAMACares, Nigeria Police Force, Gwagwalada division, as well as various private sector organizations, trade associations, Women Group and several other dignitaries.

FCT FADAMA CARES PROGRAMME: DPat Foundation’s Role in Bridging the Gaps between the Government and Rural Community Farmers.

The FCT FADAMA CARES programme of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (FCTA) was initiated to stem the negative tides of the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme was designed and initiated by the federal government to restore the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable rural farmers. The programme became necessary in the wake of the Covid pandemic whose adverse effects transverse all sectors of our national economy and the socioeconomic life of most people worldwide. The adverse effects was even felt by the poor rural farmers more.

The Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme is part of some of the key initiatives in the Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to respond to the current economic crisis in Nigeria. It is in the furtherance of this objective that the FCT FADAMA CARES Programme was put in motion.

The programme which was designed to restore the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable rural farmers was to provide free farm and agricultural inputs for farmers so as to help them recover from the losses incurred as the result of the COVID lockdown. The farm and agricultural inputs includes:

Fertilizers, chemicals and seeds for crop farmers
Knapsack sprayers with complete personal protection equipment (PPE) Kits
Fish feed and fingerlings for fish farmers
Bird feeds and Day-Olds for poultry farmers
Male and female goats for livestock farmers
Grinding machine in complete set each for women (especially, widows)

Bridging the Gaps between the Government and Rural Community Farmers

You will agree that when programmes and incentives such as this are carried out, a lot of rural communities and grassroots people are often not carried along as a result of challenges of communication gaps. This where DPat Foundation, known for its active roles in community and grassroots works, comes in. Aware that many communities within the FCT were unaware of the FADAMA Cares Programme, the President/Founder, DPat Foundation, Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey put her team together to reach out to the communities with this news.The foundation ensured that grassroots farmers and rural women were informed of this and their data were captured on behalf of FADAMA, according to the needs of each the farmer and women. After series of screening by FCT FADAMA, the farmers were called in batches and given the agricultural and farm input to their delight and amazement. Many of the farmers expressed pleasant surprises, because, according to them, they never believed the programme was going to be as transparent, targeted and on point as it turned out to be.

Pre-Disbursement Capacity Building Training for the Beneficiaries

Capacity building training was also agonized by FCT FADAMA for the beneficiaries. The training which took place at the DPat Foundation Secretariat in Gwagwalad FCT, focused on:

Group dynamics: covering the process of forming, managing/running cooperatives as well as the process of electing leaders/executives.

Book keeping for farmers: covering the art of business and financial record keeping.

Monitoring and evaluation: this focused on how groups can monitor the performance of members, especially in the areas of loan repayment.

Community based procurement: focused on how groups can do business as a body by procuring items at cheaper rates and reselling them to members at affordable prices.

Environmental and social safeguards: covering how rural communities can take care of their environment.

Nutrition and hygiene: covering the act of personal hygiene and family nutrition.

Questions and answer sections/Evaluations: there were also questions from the trainees which were satisfactorily answered by the facilitators. Questions were also thrown to the trainees by the facilitators to evaluate their level of comprehension and gains from the training.

The FCT FADAMA facilitators took their time to break down the contents of the training to the level that the rural farmers can understand by using both English and Hausa languages which was understood by most of the participants.

Skills Empowerment Classes

2024, like other years in the past, witnessed a growing attention on entrepreneurial skill training classes for women and girls. The outstanding results produced in this year’s classes underscored the resolves of the foundation to empower women and youths economically. In the month of August, during the summer holidays, several girls of secondary school age were engaged at DPAT FOUNDATION secretariat in Gwagwalada participating in fashion designing and tailoring as well as catering and other skill training classes. Likewise in the months of October through December several women and youths were trained in fashion designing, tailoring, catering and cake making. The participants show a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the classes.

Other landmark events of 2024 in pictures

DPAT FOUNDATION HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR 2026 TWO-WEEKS FREE SKILL EMPOWERMENT TRAINEES

More images from the evnt in the gallery below

DPATFOUNDATION FLAGS OFF 2026/2027SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 100 WOMEN AND YOUTHS

Dpat Multipurpose Cooperative Union’sNew Savings, Thrifts and Loan Office Opens in Dukpa

Photos from the event

Agro-ecology Training on Sack Farming/Home Garden and Financial Literacy for Women, Youths and People with Special Needs

A Programme Organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)

A REPORT ON THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE FARMERS LOAN SENSITIZATION SEMINAR

THEME: “Unlocking Opportunities for Agricultural Growth.”

See photos of exhibitions by the farmers below:

See photos of some of the various cooperative groups that were in attendance below:

DPAT FOUNDATION INAUGURATES NASSARAWA STATE CHAPTER

THE WORLD BANK DELEGATE’S VISIT

HELPING RURAL FARMERS ACCESS THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE SAVINGS AND CREDIT FACILITIES

KEEPING AN UP-CLOSE WATCH

2024 IN RETROSPECT WITH GRATITUDE

Other landmark events of 2024 in pictures

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DPAT FOUNDATION HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR 2026 TWO-WEEKS FREE SKILL EMPOWERMENT TRAINEES

DPATFOUNDATION FLAGS OFF 2026/2027SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 100 WOMEN AND YOUTHS

Dpat Multipurpose Cooperative Union’sNew Savings, Thrifts and Loan Office Opens in Dukpa

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