By ibrahima yakubu
The Ashafa Relief Foundation (ARF) successfully held the Commissioning of Ashafa Peace Academy (₦100-Per-Day Charity School) alongside the Free Skills Acquisition and Economic Empowerment Graduation Ceremony, marking a major milestone in the Foundation’s commitment to education, peacebuilding, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities in Kaduna State.
The historic event brought together community leaders, religious and traditional authorities, development partners, government representatives, award recipients, parents, and members of the public, all united in celebrating hope, empowerment, and opportunity.
A major highlight of the event was the official commissioning of Ashafa Peace Academy, a charity school established to provide affordable, inclusive, and values-based education for vulnerable children. Operating at a subsidized rate of ₦100 per day, the Academy integrates Western education, Qur’anic studies, moral instruction, and peace education, aimed at nurturing responsible, educated, and peace-loving citizens.
The Academy represents ARF’s vision to redefine access to education, particularly for children from low-income families who would otherwise be excluded from formal schooling.
The ceremony also celebrated the graduation of over 600 beneficiaries who successfully completed ARF’s Free Skills Acquisition and Economic Empowerment Program. Graduates were trained in various vocational areas including tailoring, catering, hairdressing, soap and cream production, phone repair, beads making, computer training, and other livelihood skills.
Certificates were awarded to the graduates, while practical exhibitions showcased their skills, creativity, and readiness for self-employment. The event further reaffirmed ARF’s commitment to economic empowerment through skills development.
In line with its empowerment strategy, ARF announced the commencement of business start-up support and small loan initiatives for eligible graduates, aimed at helping them establish or expand their enterprises. This intervention is designed to promote self-reliance, income generation, and poverty reduction within the community. Wich was supported by Rev. Tunde Bolanta of Mercy Angel Foundation Kaduna.
As part of the program, ARF honored selected community leaders, partners, and stakeholders with awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to community development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian service in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of Ashafa Relief Foundation, Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, emphasized the importance of education, skills, and moral values in building peaceful and resilient societies. He reaffirmed ARF’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain community-driven development.
The Executive Director, Hayatu Nurayn Ashafa, expressed gratitude to partners, volunteers, and staff for their unwavering support, noting that the success of the program reflects ARF’s mission to restore dignity and create opportunities for vulnerable Nigerians.
The commissioning and graduation ceremony stands as a powerful testament to ARF’s holistic approach to development combining education, skills training, economic empowerment, moral guidance, and peacebuilding.
Ashafa Relief Foundation remains committed to expanding its programs, strengthening partnerships, and reaching more vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
