2026 Henna Ball: Tozali Premieres Documentary on Borno Survivors, Calls for Sustained Support for Displaced Families
The Tozali Media Group has premiered a humanitarian documentary spotlighting women and girls who survived the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, using the eighth edition of the Henna Ball and Tozali People’s Awards 2026 to call for sustained support for families displaced by insecurity.
The documentary, produced by Tozali TV, was a major highlight of the event held on Saturday at the Los Angeles Event Centre in Abuja, under the theme “Empowering Survivors. Restoring Hope.”
It offered a glimpse into the experiences of survivors and behind-the-scenes interventions aimed at supporting their recovery and restoring their dignity.
Convener and Chief Executive Officer of Tozali Group of Companies, Hajia Maimuna Yaya Abubakar, said the initiative was designed to restore a sense of belonging to women and girls affected by insurgency while empowering them economically.
“We should have compassion for the less privileged. One of the problems of this country is that many of us are morally bankrupt. Reorientation is needed so that people will see the reason to respect lives and human dignity,” she said.
In her remarks, the Chief Host and Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, positioned Nigeria’s creative industry as a tool for healing and justice.
“Women and girls have endured the horrors of kidnapping. Their stories must never be reduced to statistics, and their futures to the painful chapters of their past,” she said.
“I believe creativity is more than entertainment. I believe our stories can respond to it. I believe our films can challenge injustice. Our music can give voice to the silenced,” she added.
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In a direct message to survivors, she said, “To every survivor here tonight, you are more than what happened to you. You are more than the pain you carry. Your story is still being written, and its beautiful chapters may lie ahead. Let us build a nation where a woman’s past does not imprison her future.”
Delivering the keynote address on the event’s theme, former Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Aisha Ismaila, reflected on the scale of internal displacement.
“I can still remember, over 70,000 people, it went through my heart. We are talking about displacement that is far from over,” she said.
She added, “When you are talking about displacement of between five to six million people, reading through so many reports, we must find at least something to try to improve our response.”
She called for a multi-layered approach to address the crisis, including expanding access to safe and inclusive education for girls in conflict-affected communities, providing skills acquisition and start-up support to help displaced women achieve economic independence, and strengthening psychosocial services to help survivors heal from trauma.
The ceremony honoured individuals and institutions across leadership, governance, royalty, public service, business and philanthropy.
Former First Lady Dr. Maryam Sani Abacha received an Award of Special Recognition for her longstanding support to Tozali TV, while former First Lady Hajia Turai Umaru Yar’Adua was honoured with the Woman of Distinction Award for her contributions to girls’ education, women’s empowerment and social welfare.
Zamfara State Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal received the Governor of Excellence Award for his efforts toward addressing insecurity and supporting affected communities, while Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas was recognised for his contributions to women’s education and skills acquisition.
In the royalty and security category, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, received the Royal Leadership Award, while General Christopher Musa received the Defence and Security Leadership Award.
Other philanthropists, entrepreneurs and entertainment personalities were also recognised across three broad categories covering public leadership, humanitarian and business achievements, as well as entertainment and digital influence.
