As Benue SSG Celebrates 55th Birthday With IDPs
Wife of the Benue State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom has cautioned against trafficking of displaced children for farming or business activities in parts of the country.
Mrs. Ortom who gave the caution at LGEA Central Primary School Gbajimba, one of the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Guma LGA said anyone found culpable of such would be jailed.
There are over 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) in eight (8) camps spread across Benue state following deadly attacked by suspected fulani herdsmen against Benue farmers .
She stated that it was inhuman for either parents or relations to give their children out for whatever reason, noting that government would not condone such act from anyone.
The Governor’s wife while pledging her commitment to sustain the supply of boiled eggs to children in the camps to combat malnutrition among them said the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had sent a large consignment of eggs which would soon be received and distributed to the various camps.
She congratulated Professor Ijohor on his 55th birthday, stressing that it was gratifying to celebrate with the displaced especially in their present predicament, adding that the IDPs needed love and care at this critical time.
Read Also: Governors advise Nigerians on spiritual rebirth, tolerance, unity
In his remark, the celebrant, Professor Ijohor, said he and his wife decided to visit the IDP camp and celebrate with the displaced persons on his birthday just to prove to them that they were not left alone.
He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Ortom in catering for the displaced persons, even as he prayed God to bring an end to the herdsmen attacks on Benue communities for the displaced to return to their homes and continue with their normal activities.
In separate goodwill messages, representative of the Benue State Executive Council and Commissioner for Works, Transport and Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Manger, MD BIPC, Mr. Alfred Adum, DG Radio Benue, Mrs. Espie Ushe- Uba as well as Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima, all lauded the gesture of Professor Ijohor and urged the IDPs not to despair as an end to the crisis was in sight.
Speaking on behalf of the displaced persons, Mr. Torhile Tsavbee, Mrs. Esther Ancha as well as representative of the youth, all commended the Ortom-led administration for taking good care of them but appealed that security be beefed up in their communities so they could return to their homes.
Items donated to the IDPs by the celebrant with support from colleagues, friends and associates included 305 bags of rice, 522 crates of eggs, 100 cartons of Indomine, Cowbell milk, Salt and Tomato paste each as well as 50 cartons of Onga among others.
