By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — OVER 200 people living with disabilities and indigent women in Kuje community of the Federal Capital Territory, FTC, Abuja, on Tuesday benefited from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN Foundation.
National Treasurer and Chairman of PENGASSAN Foundation*, Dr. David Owan, said they were in Kuje to show solidarity and bring gas and stoves to the indigent people to address health challenges caused by firewood
Dr. Owan flanked by the National Chairperson, PENGASSAN Women Commission* and Secretary of the Foundation, Engr. Maryann Ada Mbanaso and the National Secretary of PENGASSAN Women Commission,* Comrade Chidinma Anyanwu distributed six kg cooking stoves/gas to the indigent women.
Speaking at the palace of the 16th Gomo of Kuje, His Royal Highness, Dr. Haruna Tanko Jubrin, the Foundation chairman, said the solidarity and support to the beneficiaries was to combat respiratory health issues caused by the use of firewood.
According to him, the use of firewood for cooking leads to respiratory problems and chronic conditions for women who inhale the smoke.
He explained that the initiave was aimed at empowering women through cooking methods, reducing environmental impact and deforestation.
He said that the Foundation funded solely by individual contributions of members seeks to help those who cannot afford the items.
Owan emphasized the importance of using clean stoves to avoid the negative impacts of charcoal and firewood on health and the environment.
He highlighted the impact of community development on the collection of firewood and how women are forced to travel further distances up to five to ten kilometers to collect firewood.
He said the Foundation started in 2025 under the visionary leadership of the President of PENGASSAN, Comr. Engr. Festus Osifo, conducting various campaigns and activities, including hospital contributions and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“We decided we should give back to community. We need to do social corporate responsibility. Let our people know that we care about them. We are not government. It’s not our place to provide this. But we feel that if we are earning, we should reach out to other people. Let them get what we are getting equally,” he said.
The Secretary of the Foundation, Engr. Mbanaso emphasized the role of women in cooking and the negative health impacts of using firewood such as premature aging and illnesses.
She said the Foundation aims to empower women by providing better cooking methods to improve their health and living conditions.
“Here, of course, you know that if you look around, you will see that the people we have on ground are women, and today we are talking about clean cooking. Actually, it is women that do more of the cooking because it’s our responsibility to provide and to cook for the family.
“And when you look at what firewood does to women and does to our health, you find out that women get sick, a lot of l sicknesses arise from use of firewood in cooking.
“So today we have come to empower them. We have come to say no to cooking with firewood and to give them a better way of cooking so that they will equally live and have better life for their children.”
She further highlighted the security risks associated with women traveling long distances to collect firewood
She expressed gratitude on behalf of the President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Engr. Festus Osifo for the orderly and respectful reception by the traditional ruler and his subjects.
Also speaking, Secretary of *the PENGASSAN Women Commission, Comrade Chidinma Anyanwu encouraged beneficiaries to continue using the provided facilities to reduce deforestation and promote clean energy.
She reiterated the fact that the Foundation is funded through PENGASSAN members salaries despite the tough economic times, adding that it was a way of showing their commitment to social responsibility.
She attributed it to the visionary leadership of the PENGASSAN President, Comrade Osifo and the dedication of members of the association.
Anyanwu said: “All these are happening under the visionary leadership of our President, Comrade Engineer Festus Osifo. So we say thank you to him for leading us in the right direction.”
On his part, the Gomo of Kuje, Dr. Jubrin said the efforts of the Foundation contribute to to eradicate poverty in the community, stressing that it was a long-awaited opportunity for the community.
He expressed the community’s appreciation to the PENGASSAN Foundation and continuous support.
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