The Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Professor Doknan Decent Danjuma Sheni has launched his foundation known as Decent Danjuma Foundation (DDF) designed to cater for the needs of Widows in the society.

The Foundation, since its establishment four years ago has empowered over one hundred widows through the provision of grants to set-up businesses, provision of sewing machines and computers. Other assistance rendered to widows by the Foundation include, payment of widows children school fees, providing financial assistance,and wrappers annually, in addition to Bibles and building and roofing of houses for the widows.

Professor Sheni said his decision to set-up the Foundation was in accordance with the religious admonition to help the Orphans and widows as well as his personal experience while growing up in abject poverty to the extent that they ate only once a day and was kicked out of school because of torn uniform.

While narrating his childhood experience, Professor Sheni said, “we grew up very poor to the extent that we were kicked out of school primary school at Dadur because of lack of school uniform. I was wearing the only uniform I had for both school and at home and it got torn and exposed my back side.

“I had to go to Zinni market that day and met our mother who sells Palm oil. She quickly made arrangements to sell the pig we had and used the proceeds to buy uniform for us. ”
Sheni recalled that he sold Palm oil, pop corn and various items in other to survive, stressing that then they ate only dinner and saved the remnant by the fire side for breakfast early in morning before going to school.

The Management Committee Chairman of Langtang North of Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Brian Dadi commended Professor Sheni for setting up the foundation to provide care for widows and called on the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity the Foundation provide to them to empower themselves economically.

He advised the beneficiaries to be bold enough and tell the politicians who would come to them canvassing for their votes to replicate the kind gesture of Professor Sheni in order to better their lives.

On their parts, the Long Goemai of Shendam, Miskoom Martins Shaldas II and the acting Ponzhi Tarok, Ponzhi Joseph Nimnan Langnim applauded Sheni’s initiative to cater for the needs of vulnerable members of the society and appealed to government and wealthy individuals to help the Foundation blossom.

One of the beneficiaries said life was extremely difficult for her in the past but since she joined the foundation four years ago, her situation improved for good saying she now manage her small tailoring shop.
Highlights of the launching was the presentation of wrappers, Bibles and other items to the beneficiaries.

Also, the national leadership of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) used the occasion and conferred Sheni with Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, Platinum Leadership Award and the traditional title of Garkuwan Matasan Arewa in appreciation of Sheni’s leadership quality.

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Professor Sheni Launches Foundation, Doles Christmas Gifts to Widows.