From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
Government Secondary School Duguri Old Boys Association (DOBA) has distributed food items and cash assistance to more than 70 widows, orphans of deceased members, and other vulnerable beneficiaries as part of its humanitarian outreach during the Ramadan fasting period.
Speaking during the distribution on Sunday, the Chairman of the Special Duties and Welfare Committee, Hon. Ahmad Isah Tahir, said the intervention was made possible through the support of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, other philanthropists, and well-meaning members of the association who contributed resources to ensure the success of the programme.
According to him, the gesture reflects the association’s commitment to standing by its members and their families, especially those experiencing hardship.
He noted that DOBA believed the responsibility toward its members does not end with graduation but continues through a strong network of care and support.
Tahir added that the exercise marks the first phase of the distribution, explaining that another round of assistance would be carried out before the end of Ramadan to reach additional needy members.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Duguri Old Boys Association, Ahmad Mohammed Saka, commended the Special Duties Committee for its dedication, transparency, and effective coordination in organising the distribution.
He said the initiative demonstrates the strength of unity among members and highlights the importance of collective responsibility in supporting those in need.
Saka noted that acts of compassion such as these provide immediate relief while also reinforcing the core values upon which the association was founded.
He stressed that supporting the families of deceased members remains both a moral obligation and a shared responsibility among alumni. He therefore called on stakeholders, alumni, and community partners to sustain collaboration and expand humanitarian efforts in order to reach more vulnerable families.
Saka further explained that Ramadan offers an opportunity for reflection, generosity, and community service. He urged members of the association and other stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives that uplift vulnerable individuals.
He added that the association remained committed to developing more welfare-oriented programmes aimed at supporting families connected to DOBA.
According to him, sustained humanitarian efforts will ensure that widows, orphans, and other vulnerable groups linked to the association receive timely assistance and maintain a strong sense of belonging within the alumni community.
The chairman noted that although a similar distribution was carried out last year, this year’s intervention was more extensive, adding that the association plans to further expand its support in the future.
He also expressed appreciation to past EXCO of the association and members who have maintained strong relationships among the alumni for more than four decades after graduating from the school.
Saka explained that several committees have been established within the association to support members in different ways.
He acknowledged the financial support received from the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South, as well as other prominent members including Bunun Duguri, Hon. Ahmad Isa Tahir, and Sulaiman Malami Ahmad.
He encouraged younger members of the association to embrace the culture of giving and volunteerism, noting that the sustainability of such welfare initiatives depends largely on the commitment of future generations within the DOBA network.
Also speaking, a member of the association, Dr. Bala Gambo Jahun, said programmes of this nature strengthen the values of empathy, unity, and social responsibility among members.
He suggested that similar support should also be extended during the Christmas season, noting that the alumni include Christians and that such gestures would promote fairness and strengthen unity among members. He commended the present EXCO of the association for their commitment and dedication.
Some beneficiaries who spoke during the event, including Mukhtar Hassan, Hajara Bala Duguri, the wife of a deceased member, and Isma’il Abdu Ibrahim, the son of a late member, expressed appreciation to the association for the gesture.
They noted that the assistance came at a critical time when many families are struggling with rising living costs during the fasting period.
The beneficiaries said the support brought comfort and reassurance to widows and orphans of deceased members, reminding them that they remain remembered and valued by the DOBA family despite the loss of their loved ones.
They also prayed for the continued success of the association and its leadership, expressing hope that the programme would become a sustained initiative that reaches even more vulnerable families in the future.
