Philanthropist Namleeb Konlan, through his Yennutoona Foundation, has come to the aid of victims of the recent violence in Nanik and Bimbagu, as well as thousands of impoverished families across the Bunkpurugu/Nakpanduri District.
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Konlan, with the support of family and friends abroad, distributed essential food items, clothing, and cash assistance to over 30,000 households, many of whom are reeling from the aftermath of deadly conflict and chronic poverty.
The humanitarian gesture follows a violent clash on February 28, 2025, over a chieftaincy dispute in Nanik and a related land conflict in Ngagma Gberuk, which led to the deaths of seven people, including 27-year-old teacher Nashiru Maijida, and the destruction of nearly 200 homes and food stores.
Many victims have since been displaced, some fleeing to Gbangbalachet in the Yunyoo District, Bunkpurugu, and even neighbouring communities in Togo, as residents of Bimbagu, reportedly behind the attacks, continue to resist their return.
Konlan’s intervention specifically targeted vulnerable groups: widows, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals branded as witches.
His foundation also distributed farm inputs and cashew seedlings to support sustainable livelihoods. Selected beneficiaries received cash assistance for hospital bills, school fees, and daily survival needs.
“This is a time of hunger in the Northeast—when early millet hasn’t arrived, food is scarce,” Konlan said. “So this food you see, we are giving to the blind, the crippled, widows, orphans, even lepers.”
The Yennutoona Foundation, now in its 46th year, is entirely funded by Konlan and his extended family. Over the decades, the foundation has empowered 60 women’s groups with agricultural projects, enabling them to earn income through the cultivation and sale of economic trees like Shea and cashew.
“Our women now sell their produce, pay school fees, and feed their children,” Konlan said. “We’ve restored self-sufficiency to many homes.”
He called on the government to fairly distribute national resources and ensure that social intervention programs actually benefit the poor in underserved regions like his.
Residents—especially women and children—expressed relief and gratitude. “This food and clothing will help us survive this difficult time,” said Ama Dubik, a widow from Nanik. “We thank Mr. Konlan for remembering us.”
The Bunkpurugu/Nakpanduri District continues to face deep-rooted challenges, from recurring conflict to a lack of mechanised farming, making interventions like Konlan’s not just necessary, but lifesaving.
His dual focus on relief and peace advocacy has become a beacon of hope for many in the region.
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