The Nigerian Government has distributed food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons in 3 camps across the Federal Capital Territory.
The distribution was made by the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijjani Ahmed.
According to him, the gesture was in the spirit of Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary which was also his first outing since assumption into office, 2 weeks ago.
While at the Durumi Camp which was his first point of contact with the IDPS, he said
“As our nation: celebrates its 63rd Independence Day, we renew our unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing needs of internally displaced persons, IDPs. Today, we gather in Durumi, Abuja, on a mission to extend a helping hand to those residing in the Durumi IDP Camp. Our purpose is to distribute critical support in the form of Agricultural Inputs, Educational Supplies, and Food Care Packs”.
The Federal Commissioner renewed his unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing needs of IDPs adding that no one, regardless of gender, age, or vulnerabilities, should be left without vital support, echoing the President’s renewed Hope Agenda.
He emphasised the importance of providing assistance to IDPs warning that neglecting those in displacement can have profound social and economic consequences for both the displaced and their host communities.
According to Mr. Ahmed, in the face of protracted displacement crises that often affect IDPs, ensuring access to assistance during such times is of utmost importance.
“In keeping with the Commission’s sustainable solutions strategy and our dedication to the well-being of host communities, we are proud to announce the provision of essential agricultural inputs. These initiatives aim to empower our displaced population, many of whom are skilled farmers, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
“Furthermore, we are equally committed to providing Educational Supplies to ensure that IDP children and adolescents have access to learning materials, -facilitating their educational growth and development. Additionally, we are distributing Food Care Packs to alleviate immediate hunger and provide much-needed sustenance to those in need”.
At the Wasa IDP camp, the Federal Commissioner who was moved with compassion on the condition of the IDPS, donated one million naira to support the critically sick aside from the distribution of the items.
The Federal Commissioner also inspected the Wasa Camp Transition Learning Centre, where one hundred IDP children are enrolled for early years schooling in collaboration with Maple Leaf Foundation where he pledged more support and a better learning environment.
He assured them of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda of ensuring inclusivity, innovation and engagement in a whole of society and whole of government approaches for sustainable development.
For her part, the Headteacher of Maple Leaf Foundation, Chinyere Agu who commended the Commission for the gesture said there’s a need for more supplies of food items for the pupils to keep them sound and focused in school.
“You know the cost of living is very high, now. If the government can help us to provide food items because we do school feeding. We feed them daily.
” Sometimes they come to school because with the mindset that they’ll eat food, so they have the eagerness to be in school”.
Mrs Agu also disclosed that at the initial stage of the school enrollment Programme, many parents didn’t want to release their children, but the story is now different.
” We had to take our time to teach them that education is for everybody. It’s not for boys; it’s not for girls only”.
The Camp Chairman, Jesse Bitrus who was moved by the gesture commended the Federal Commissioner disclosing that the gesture was exceptional.
At the New Karshi IDPS camp, the Federal Commissioner said the camp exit plan will commence soon.
He urged all IDPS parents to ensure that their children are enrolled in school.
“Already we’re exiting the camp now. By the construction of the Satellite towns in Sokoto, Nasarawa, Borno and Katsina States”. We’ll also train them on skills acquisition so that they can be self-reliant “, he noted.
The food and nonfood items include;
97 bags of 25kg rice
97 cartons of spaghetti
97 bags of 1kg semolina
20 cartons of Kings groundnut oils
26 cartons of Maggi
22 cartons of salt
Others are;
400 dozens of customised exercise books
180 pairs of school sandals
10 pieces of Whiteboards
10 pieces of Whiteboard dusters
180 pieces of customised school bags
180 pieces of customised plastic chairs and tables, biros and pencils.
The agricultural materials are
26 pieces of pesticide packs
86 sprayers and 25 irrigation pumps.
The 3 camps visited are home to more than thirteen thousand Internally Displaced Persons from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe which are the most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009.
Dominica Nwabufo
