Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey (2nd from left) Mrs. Grace Daniel, DPat Foundation, (1st from left), Rev. Sale Able, ECWA Church, Dukpa with other DPat Officials and Dukpa community men and women during the inauguration ceremony.

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

Dukpa community men and women in group photograph with Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey, President, Dpat Foundation.

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.

Rev. Sale Able, ECWA Church, Dukpa, with Elder Mrs. Patience Ardey and a Dpat Official at the event.
Nassarawa State Chapter Coordinator, Mrs. Nikre and other Dpat Foundation team members

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