…Donates 400 bags of rice, 1200 pieces of ankara, others
…FG to replicate resettlement city across the country
First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has commissioned the resettlement city for Persons of Concern in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The resettlement city houses 40 Internally Displaced Persons and refugee households comprising 239 individuals from North East Nigeria, Cameroon, South Sudan and Central Africa.
The resettlement built by the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has been named after Sen. Oluremi Tinubu by the Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Tijani Ahmed.
Speaking on Saturday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, the First Lady charged the city’s occupants to be law-abiding, adding that President Bola Tinubu would love to see all Nigerians cared for and live in a dignified environment.
As part of measures to alleviate their suffering, Sen. Tinubu donated 400 bags of 25 kg rice, 1,200 pieces of ankara and 600 pieces of the national fabric to the IDPs and refugees.
Each household was also given N200,000 each, and each farmer was given N50,000 each.
Speaking on the significance of resettlement city, she said: “Today’s occasion represents progress in a national effort to restore hope, dignity, safety and patriotism to fellow Nigerians who have been displaced from their homes due to circumstances such as insurgency, banditry, communal clashes and natural disasters.
“I am pleased to witness the resettlement of 40 households comprising 239 individuals into a safe and dignified environment.
“This development reaffirms the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu which aims to enhance social welfare programs for all Nigerians. Our work does not end here. Resettlement must go hand in hand with empowerment and skills acquisition”.
On steps taken to empower the occupants, the First Lady said: “I am glad to learn that 100 hectares of farmland has 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”.
Sen. Tinubu, while commending the host community, Yar Kande, for their hospitality, said: “President Bola Tinubu would love to see all Nigerians being cared for, living in a dignified environment, going to school and being productive to the society as their hope is being renewed”.
She urged the families resettled to continue to be law-abiding, loyal to the state and live peaceably with their host community.
“When people house you, they don’t become your enemy. They become part of you, and you become an entity of this state, and 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. You have to live in peace.
“You experienced displacement due to one reason or the other. You don’t want to add political issues into your space. You should live peacefully and make sure that you are kind to the state that has housed you.
“I also brought 400 bags of rice, 25 kg and 12 bales. 12 bales, which is 100 bales of ankara, which is 1,200 pieces, and six bales of the national fabric because we want you to be part of this community”.
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She thanked the NCFRMI for renaming the resettlement centre in her honour.
The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Tijani Ahmed symbolises renewed hope and a step forward in the commission’s national humanitarian agenda.
On the facilities, Ahmed said: “It comprises a solar-powered greenhouse to enhance food security and support agricultural livelihood. A fully equipped hospital to cater to health and physical needs. A modern school to provide access to inclusive basic education.
“A skilled acquisition centre where residents can learn market-relevant traits for economic empowerment. A place of worship for all, with both a mosque and a church that aims to foster spiritual well-being and communal harmony. Over 40 blocks of well-constructed flats that offer safe, decent, and dignified housing.
“These facilities will not only serve as a place for habitual living, but will turn into a community in which families can rebuild their lives, live, thrive, and contribute meaningfully towards our dear country at large.
“We have resettled 40 households, comprising 239 individuals, including refugees from Cameroon, South Sudan, and Central Africa”.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, assured persons of concern that their voices are heard and they are seen.
He said the federal government would ensure that the resettlement city is replicated across the county to give hope to children, women and the entire country.
The Minister commended the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule for providing the land and integrating the persons of concern.