The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Bola Tinubu, has inaugurated a Forty-Unit Housing Resettlement City for Persons of Concern (POCs) in Nasarawa State, located in North Central Nigeria.
The First Lady of Nigeria articulated that the event signifies a momentous advancement in the national initiative aimed at restoring hope, dignity, security, and a sense of patriotism to Nigerians who have been displaced from their homes as a result of insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and natural disasters.
She said the development reaffirms the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to enhance social welfare programmes for all Nigerians.
“I am pleased to witness the resettlement of 40 households comprising 239 individuals into a safe and dignified environment,” she said.
The First Lady, however, noted that Resettlement must go hand in hand with empowerment and skills acquisition.
“Our work does not end here. I am glad to learn that 100 hectares of farmland have been secured for the families to cultivate for food and income. It is also encouraging to hear that the resettlement city is equipped with greenhouses, vocational training centres, a police station, a church, a mosque and a clinic.
“This will no doubt go a long way in helping the families to settle down and be independent,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She further cautioned the Persons Of Concern to live in peace with their hosts, love them and help them noting that they have now entered
“You have to be loyal to the state that has given you room and shelter. You have to love your neighbours. You have to help them. When people house you, they don’t become your enemies” she advised
Mrs Tinubu commended the People of the Yarkade community for their kindness in accepting and hosting the Persons Of Concern.
400 bags of rice, 25 kg and 12 bales of wrappers were donated to the Persons Of Concern.
Speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda said the First Lady, more than just a title has become a mother who nurtured the wounds of conflict, losses and the hardship of her people.
“You are restoring hope for many of these children, here, who are hopeless and have no definite hope and future.
“They have access to education. They have access to water. They have access to food. They have access to health. They have access to dignity of life. And that’s what Mr. President stands for. And that’s what Renewed Hope stands for,” she said.
The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijjani Ahmed said the occasion is a defining moment in the history of the Commission to deliver durable, dignified and sustainable solutions for displaced Nigerians.
He said at the heart of its mandate lies the goal of enabling sustainable, long-term solutions to the plight of IDPs and refugees.
According to him, the resettlement city is designed to serve as a model for integrated humanitarian response.
“Therefore, what we commission today is not just a physical structure, it is a symbol of renewed hope and a bold step forward in our national humanitarian agenda. These facilities will not only serve as a place for habitual living, but will zoom into a community in which families can rebuild their lives, live, thrive, and contribute meaningfully towards our dear country at large,” Ahmed said.
He commended his immediate predecessor and Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim who began the project before he took over.
” I am profoundly happy to state here that in Kefi, we have resettled 40 households, comprising 239 individuals, including refugees from Cameroon, South Sudan, and Central Africa. These individuals, many of whom are women and girls, have endured unimaginable hardship. As a commission, we are especially mindful of the unique vulnerability of women and girls among displaced populations,” Ahmed said.
The Federal Commissioner also disclosed that the Commission has implemented critical support interventions for some host communities that continued to bear the burden of displacement.
“Such as medical outreaches, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as the provision of essential infrastructure, including water supply, solar street lightening, renovation of schools, and the construction of drainages and culverts,” Ahmed said.
He, however, sought more funding for projects to expand interventions noting that despite their best efforts, their ability to provide durable solutions remains significantly constrained by limited resources.
“An estimated 6.1 million individuals remain displaced across Nigeria, many of them innocent women and children. Disturbing reports continue to emerge of women and children taking refuge in unsafe places, such as market stalls, abandoned buildings, and infamous settlements. These realities can call for bold and immediate measures.
“There is a pressing need for sustained investment to replicate and scale the resettlement model nationwide, ensuring that no one is left behind,” Ahmed said.
He commended the Emir of Keffi and the host community for their hospitality and for fostering peaceful co-existence.
The Forty-Housing Resettlement City was named after Nigeria’s First Lady -Oluremi Bola Tinubu Resettlement City, Yarkade, Keffi.