Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has marked her 40th birthday by donating livelihood support equipment to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, north-central Nigeria, and awarding scholarships to 40 children in the camps.
Edu celebrated with displaced persons at the North Bank IDP camp in Makurdi, where she donated 40 sewing machines, 40 grinding machines, 40 refrigerators and 40 sets of hairdressing equipment with accessories to support women and girls in rebuilding their livelihoods.
She also announced an empowerment programme for persons with disabilities as part of efforts to promote self-reliance among vulnerable groups.
The former minister said the intervention was not merely a birthday gesture but reflected her personal commitment to humanitarian service and the search for lasting solutions to displacement.
According to her, the ultimate goal was to equip displaced persons with sustainable means of livelihood, enabling them to rebuild their lives and eventually return to their ancestral communities in safety and dignity.
“My dream and goal is to see that they can be empowered and settled,” Edu said.
She added that the initiative was intended to complement the humanitarian efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
Edu said a significant number of the beneficiaries were children from her political ward in Adadama, Obi Local Government Area of Cross River State. She claimed that no child in the area had paid school fees since 2016 because of the effects of communal conflict and disruptions to farming activities.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Alia, the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, commended Edu for choosing to celebrate her milestone birthday with displaced persons rather than holding a conventional celebration.
Ode described the gesture as an expression of compassion, solidarity and shared humanity, saying the occasion offered an opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment to public service.
He also commended Edu for the scholarships, referring to a record of 40,000 beneficiaries as a significant achievement.
“Forty thousand is not a joke,” the deputy governor said, while praying for continued blessings and strength for the former minister.
Ode described the humanitarian situation in Benue as a serious concern, noting that displacement had disrupted livelihoods, separated families from their homes and farmlands, interrupted children’s education and placed considerable pressure on communities.
He said the state government’s responsibility extended beyond providing temporary relief to pursuing lasting solutions that would enable displaced persons to rebuild their lives and return home safely and with dignity.
According to him, the Alia administration would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government, humanitarian organisations, development partners, religious institutions and other stakeholders to address displacement.
He said the interventions would focus on security, shelter, food assistance, healthcare, education, clean water and livelihood restoration.
Ode assured the beneficiaries that the items donated by Edu would be distributed judiciously and used to support their livelihoods.
He urged stakeholders to sustain their collaboration, noting that addressing displacement required a collective commitment from government, civil society, the private sector and humanitarian partners.
The deputy governor congratulated Edu on her 40th birthday, wishing her renewed strength, wisdom, good health and greater opportunities to serve humanity.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building a society where compassion prevailed over indifference and displaced citizens could regain security, dignity and opportunities for a better future.
