Nazifi Dawud

Jaafar Jaafar, publisher of Daily Nigerian newspaper has revealed how he plans to utilize the N5 million he had generated through crowdfunding to improve the life of an 84-year-old blind Kano singer who was abandoned in extreme poverty.

Kano Focus reports that Mr Jaafar, who addressed a news conference in Kano on Wednesday, said it was sad that Magajiya Dambatta, who had used her singing talents to support enrollment of children in schools during the 1970s and 1980s was left to languish in abject poverty.

Forgotten diva

The journalist lamented how he met the 84-year-old traditional diva, struggling to make a living through street begging in her hometown of Makoda in the outskirts of Kano city.

Mr Jaafar, said his visit to Makoda was “informed by the sudden disappearance of a respectable voice in the traditional musical industry.”

“I met with 84-year-old, dimmed by age who is now blind, but ekes out a living by begging for alms in the village.

“When it was obvious that it was not something we could do alone, we settled for crowd funding, and by the end of the 5-day exercise, a total sum of N5,006,222 was realized to this forgotten heroine,” he said.

According to him, “We have a 3-year upkeep plan for the blind singer that would gulp a total of N1,560,000 for 3 years.”

Mr Jaafar revealed that a monthly stipend of N15,000 would be paid to Mrs Magajiya directly, adding that a quarterly allowance of N15,000 would also be paid to the music legend for soap, perfume and important items.

A new life

Speaking further on the management of the fund Mr Jaafar said the former singer would also be receiving at least N40,000 each year for textile materials and other needs for Sallah celebrations.

He explained that N144,000 would also be paid per annum for Mrs Magajiya’s feeding at N12,000 per month.

“This would be paid to her married grandsons who feed her to ensure that she gets the right nutrition in view of her age. There are two married grandsons who feed her. We decided to alternate this monthly payment between the two grandsons as a measure of control. Total per annum is N144,000,” he said.

Mr Jaafar added that “N5,000 nursing fees would be paid to her grand daughter who nurses and cleans her room and washes her clothes, while another N3,000 school pocket money (would be paid) for her guide (‘Yar Jagora). This would be paid to the mother of the ‘Yar Jagora”.

The journalist further disclosed plans to either buy a house or build a brand new one for Mrs Magajiya as her present abode has become severely dilapidated and unfit for living.

“We have already directed an agent in the village to scout around for a plot of land or a house for sale. Substantial amount of the money raised will be channeled for either building a new house or buying a house for her”, he said.

“We thank ‘Friends of the Community Organisation’ team led by Hassan Gama for their transparent handling and safe keeping of the funds,” he added.