Nso Family Union Bongbati -DK has had challenging years like any other during the covid-19 pandemic which has slowed its activities of bringing development especially in the local and rural areas. Faced with the challenge of war that has been plaguing the country Cameroon for close to 5 years now, Bongbati had to suspend its activities of applying materials from the Danish mission council (recycling for development) and its project with Hvidovre Municipality to concentrate more on relief assistance to especially the badly affected.
As if that was not enough came this dreadful pandemic Covid-19 to add to the suffering people of our nation. The war brought untold stories, many lives lost, hundred of thousands internally displaced and as many as more than 50,000 seeking refuge in neigboring Nigeria, Ghana and some countires including Europe and the USA.
In February 2020, we joined the umbrella Organization back home in collaboration with other NFU branches in Europe, USA, SA, UAE to come out with an initiative known as the “Nsoda Agriculture Renaissance Initiative ” (INRI). This had the following objectives:
A- Global Objectives
- Transform agriculture in Nso from artisanal to
second generation by incorporating the value
chain concept- From production, through
transformation to marketing - Design and deliver adapted Risk Sharing
Finance Framework under the auspices of an
“Agriculture Fund” to render the sector attractive
to financial institutions and investors
B. Specific Objectives - Formally create two entities with all
management
structures and strict governance oversight:
▪ First an entity to own and run a mega agro-
industrial complex.
▪ Secondly an entity (A Fund) to galvanize and
provide financing primarily to the agro industrial
structure as well as to other farmer groups,
cooperatives and individuals using risk sharing
framework.
NB- These two distinct structures will give
Business and Legal relevance to the vision as well
as offer capacity building to stakeholders
- Boost employment of youths by creating a
framework that enables integration of small,
medium and large-scale farms and livestock
breeding to achieve industrial scale production as
well as set up transformation units - Clean up our carbon footprint and enhance
environmental protection through organic
farming, irrigation systems and renewal energy
usage
6 Leverage on Corporate Social Responsibility
endeavours to support development in Nso
through NSODA eg. Supporting community
projects, paying royalties to Traditional
Authorities (lanlords), educating the population
on healthy diets, modern farming techniques and
good governance in groups/cooperatives
The Project above has not been completely put on hold but has taken a very low attention to due the crisis as the region is highly hit by the conflict with lost of lives and gun exchanges on almost daily basis.
In addition to this, and with the pandemic at its peak, Nsoda had to come out with another emergency initiative known as the Covid Task Force which all the NFU branches had to player major roles to assist our people who are faced with two deadly crisis.
We mobilized, raised funds, set out a team that worked with the churches, Ngos, Local authorities, volunteers etc to provide immediate relief materials like Face Masks, Soaps, buckets, hand sanitizers, food etc.
This project had to be extended out of the country as some its population are not only internally displaced but also externally in countries like Ghana & Nigeria.
SCs Refugees in Gembu, Sarduana LGA- Taraba State Nigeria
We have been able to provide some dignity Kits (pads) to women living in the bushes who use leaves during their periods. We bought and distributed food stuffs, Organized seminars on how they should take care of themselves, and provided covid-19 tips and materials. These gestures have not been able to reach up to a quarter of those in need knowing fully well that the diaspora now has more challenges, taking care of themselves as many lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and have to face the challenge of providing for their families and loved ones back home.
In Nigeria, we carried out projects most especially in Taraba state where these refugees are abandoned to themselves. Areas covered are Gembu, Yerimaru, Leme, Saar, Nkiri 1 & 2 all in Sardauna LGA & Takum, Bali in Takum LGA.
In May 2021, we expect to revisit some of these Refugee camps again in an attempt to reach out to some of those that are yet to benefit from our benevolence. The main challenge is setting them up and providing for their up keep as well as sustainable initiatives that can assist them fish for themselves, examples being setting up farms/gardens, purchase of farm tools, building a bakery, tailoring workshops, saloons/hairdressing, training centres & other handwork projects like making of beeds, bags, shoes etc.
We welcome any support from any group, individuals, international community etc that can go a long way to change the lives of these less fortunate and the society at large.
Shey Tatah Sevidzem