The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IDPs

  • Danjuma assures Nigerians of protection of IDPs

    Danjuma assures Nigerians of protection of IDPs

    Residential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI) Chairman Gen. Theophilus Danjuma has assured the citizenry of the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), describing the Air Force strike as highly regrettable.

    He spoke yesterday through a statement in Abuja by the committee’s Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Alkasim Abdulkadir.

    Abdulkadir quoted Danjuma as saying: “The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Tuesday at Rann IDPs camp, Kala Balge in Borno, was not only tragic but a monumental loss to the nation.”

    Danjuma, however, emphasised that the protection of IDPs and stabilisation of vulnerable people fleeing Boko Haram conflict remained of utmost concern to government.

    The chairman expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people and Borno government.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the IDPs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Medicines San Frontiers (MSF) and the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC).

    “We also condole with the families of other volunteers, who were affected.’’

    According to him, a thorough investigation would be carried out to avoid similar mishaps in future.

  • Over 5m IDPs face acute starvation – Senate

    The Senate on Wednesday raised the alarm over severe starvation in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    The upper chamber said at least 5.2 million people in the IDP camps were likely to face acute hunger by June this year unless prompt action was taken to avert the danger.

    The lawmakers also said up to seven million people in the North East are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, while another 2.5 million children were already malnourished.

    The immediate-past Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, drew the attention of the Senate to the danger in a motion entitled: “The state of the humanitarian relief effort in the North East amidst high level of funding so far.”

    Ndume in his lead debate noted that despite the 73 per cent increase in donor funding for the humanitarian response in the North East, the situation was still bad.

    The Borno South lawmaker said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that over $426 million has been received as at December 2016.

     

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO donates to IDPs

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria has donated 5,000 cartons of Peak Milk to children in  Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

    The diary giant routed the items through the “Get  Involved” campaign of the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

    After the presentation, Mrs. Buhari posted a picture on Instagram as aishambuhari and captioned it as follows: “After a meeting with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Ore Famurewa and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs. Temitope Adeola – Special thanks to FrieslandCampina WAMCO  for supporting the Northeast project through my #GetInvolved campaign with 5,000 cartons of Peak Milk sachets.”

    Mrs. Famurewa explained that the donation was aimed at improving the nutritional status of vulnerable children living in IDP camps in the northeast.

    “In a recent report by UNICEF, an estimated 400,000 children under age five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition across the northeast of Nigeria this year alone. Our contribution is, therefore, aimed at scaling up and reaching all children in dire need of good nutrition,” Mrs Famurewa said.

    The donation came barely a year after the company donated cartons of milk worth over N100 million to support IDPs in Adamawa State.

    Mrs Famurewa added: “Being a corporate citizen and a partner in progress for sustainable development, FrieslandCampina WAMCO lauds the efforts of the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, in the advocacy for health and nutrition for women, children and vulnerable persons in Nigeria.

    “We stand with the First Lady’s Get Involved Initiative today in calling on government at all levels to prioritise issues regarding nutrition in their development agenda.”

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been in the forefront of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. In August, the Chief Executive Officer, Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands, presented dairy products and education materials to children of an IDP camp in Kuchingoro, Abuja.

  • We are guided by international best practices on IDPs – Buhari

    We are guided by international best practices on IDPs – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said Nigeria is guided by international best practices and standards in rehabilitating millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East.

    He spoke while receiving the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Phillipo Grandi, in the State House, Abuja.

    The President disclosed that Nigeria was making efforts to domesticate the Kampala Convention, which legally binds governments to protect the rights and wellbeing of people forced to flee their homes by conflict.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also lauded the military, which he said has created a safe passage that has made it easier to help the displaced persons.

    He said different mechanisms have been put in place to care for the displaced persons, in areas of nutrition, health, physical and spiritual rehabilitation, among others.

    “About 150,000 refugees have also come back home from across the borders. Our sleeves are rolled up to face the challenges head-on, along with our strategic partners,” the President said.

    According to him, Nigeria is appreciating the continued collaboration of the UN.

    Mr. Grandi, who had visited Cameroun, Niger, and Chad, as part of his tour of the Lake Chad Basin region, commended what he called “Nigeria’s determination to resolve the humanitarian crisis.”

    He said his visit to Maiduguri, in Borno State, afforded him the opportunity “to see the excellent work being done by the authorities, with support of the international community.”

    The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said he was leaving Nigeria with the conviction that things were under control.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Nigerian military to reopen key Borno road after 3 years

    Boko Haram: Nigerian military to reopen key Borno road after 3 years

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno said on Thursday that the Nigerian military is poised to re-open the Maiduguri-Magumeri-Gubio and Damasak roads.

    Shettima made this known when the Governor of Difa, Republic of Niger, Muhammad Dandano, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Maiduguri.

    The roads have remained closed to vehicular traffic since 2013 when Boko Haram activities in Borno were at their peak.

    He said the state government would commence reconstruction of Damasak in 2017 to enable inhabitants of the area to return to their homes.

    “Rebuilding Damasak is our priority.

    “The Borno Abadam, Mobar and Magumeri people are rich farmers; they do not need any help if you return them to their communities.

    “We commend the Republic of Niger for hosting about 90,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),” said Shettima.

    Speaking, Dandano said his country had continued to give its maximum support to victims of violence displaced by Boko Haram insurgency.

    Dandano said IDPs from Nigeria were at the moment living peacefully and going about their normal socio-economic activities in Difa.

    “We are giving the IDPs our maximum support as many of them have taken up farming and other ventures.

    “When you go there you will hardly differentiate between an IDP from Nigeria from a Nigerien.

    “We have also issued birth certificates to the children, who were born in Niger to enable them to have an identity,’’ said Dandano.

  • Air Force personnel contribute N7m for IDPs

    Air Force personnel contribute N7m for IDPs

    Officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force have contributed the sum of N7million towards the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
    in the Northeast.
    The cash donation and other relief materials were recently voluntarily contributed by the officers and handed over to the National President,
    Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Hjiya Hafsat Abubakar for onward delivery to the victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

    The  Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar had earlier encouraged Air Force commanders to make voluntary contributions to the
    IDPs a core value of service to support the  Federal Government to alleviate the plights of the IDPs.

    Receiving the items, Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar expressed deep appreciations to officers and men of the NAF for their genuine concern
    towards the IDPs and for taking concrete step to put smiles on their faces.

    She promised that the Association would be fair and transparent in handling the donations, even as she stated that the items would be
    transported immediately to Maiduguri to enable the association commence immediate distribution in Bama IDP Camp.

  • Government donates to IDPs in Gombe

    Government donates to IDPs in Gombe

    The Federal Government has donated food and non-food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resident in Gombe State.

    Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan, distributed the items on behalf of the government yesterday.

    She said the government is concerned about the IDPs and is doing everything possible to resettle them back in their communities. She urged them to be patient.

    The minister also held a town hall meeting on the National Women Empowerment Fund (NAWEF) and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

    She said N1.6 billion had been provided for the micro-credit programmes aimed at increasing financial access for Nigerians and so reduce poverty in the country.

    Alhassan explained that N200 million had been earmarked for eight states that would pilot the NAWEF, with 10,000 women beneficiaries targeted per state.

    Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have been deliberately selected from the Northeast because of the insurgency, she said.

    Others are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Osun states.

    “GEEP on its part will be implemented nationwide and is open to everybody,” she added.

    The minister said the loan, which will be repaid in six months, is obtainable from the banks through cooperative groups, adding that the ministry and developing partners are making arrangements to provide financial literacy and skills training to beneficiaries, while advisory will be set up to help women manage the loans.

  • Nigerian students in UK raise funds for

    Nigerian students at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom (UK) have held a cultural festival to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary. The event was part of the activities lined up to celebrate the National Day.

    The event tagged: Colour Me 9ja, was organised by Nigerian Students Society (NSS) to promote Nigeria’s diverse cultures. It was attended by some notable Nigerians in the UK, including Dr Kelechi Anyikhude, Mr Ikpe Abanga, Mrs Adebukola Adegbulugbe and Ramo Ayoka. Representatives of groups, such as Angel of Youth, Majestic Marvina and Arsenal Fan TV were present at the event.

    The students raised money to support those in the Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) across the country on the occasion.

    During the cultural ambassador contest held to showcase the country’s rich heritage, the students, clad in flamboyant traditional attires, danced to entertain the guests. The contest was anchored by Manager of Events and Logistics, Ubokbong Nmah.

    Akinkunmi Busari, a Master’s student of Engineering, won the contest.

    Miss Amanda Umobi, NSS’ first woman president and a 300-Level Law student, said the event was held to foster unity among Nigerian students in the UK. She enjoined the students to support the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s drive to change the country.

    She said: “We must collectively look at ways we can help move Nigeria forward, whether we are at home or in diaspora. We must support our government to make our country better. This is the reason for this fund-raising. The total money raised will be added to the money we are expecting to raise through ‘Go Fund Me’ to support the IDPs.”

    NSS Vice President Mr Victor Enedu advised President Buhari to consider engaging more youths in his administration. He said: “Youths are the drivers of positive change if they are well-engaged. If youths are seen as tomorrow’s leaders, they must be equipped with right leadership values to engage the future for sustainable development.”

    A poem titled: My Lagos, which told the story of business activities in Nigeria’s commercial nerve-centre and the dichotomy between the highland and the mainland was composed and delivered by the society’s Public Relations Officer, Tinoye Adeniyi-Taiwo.

    The event ended with dinner, where guests were served local delicacies supervised by the Society’s Hospitality Manager, Miss Fiyiann Olatoye, and General Secretary, Ojoside Ugbaje.

  • Troops foil suicide bomb attempt on IDPs camp

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed behind Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Damboa road, Maiduguri, on Sunday intercepted and killed a male suicide bomber.

    Col. Sani Usman, the army spokesman said in a statement that the troops, who were deployed on security duty, killed the bomber, who had attempted to sneak through their inner parapet towards the IDP camp.

    He said that the incident occured at about 9.00 a.m.

    It will be recalled that suicide bombers killed some nine people close to the camp on Saturday after detonating their explosives.

    “The vigilant sentry sighted the bomber and laid in wait until the suicide bomber came close.

    “The sniper instantly shot and killed the terrorists as he tried to force his way to the western flank of the IDP camp fence.

    “Unfortunately, the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) vest strapped on the bomber failed to detonate.

    “Consequently, a combined team of military and police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have been called to safely detonate the IED,” Usman said.

    He, however, said the situation at the camp and the general area was calm. (NAN)

  • 100 trucks of grains for IDPs diverted, Ndume alleges

    100 trucks of grains for IDPs diverted, Ndume alleges

    Senate Leader Ali Ndume yesterday alleged 100 trucks of grains meant for to Internally Displaced Persons in the North East were diverted during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ndume made the assertion in Maiduguri while handing over grains supplied to the state by the federal government for IDPs.

    He claimed the 100 trucks were diverted by the same contractor who also cornered 31 trucks of grains meant for IDPs since April.

    The senate leader said the 100 trucks of grains were out of 600 trucks approved by Jonathan while the 31 missing trucks were out of the 300 approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in April.

    Ndume said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had delved into the issue of the grains diverted in April.

    “The contractor was reported to the EFCC for action and nine more trucks were recovered, the EFCC also promised to recover all the remaining trucks,” Ndume said.

    He said 29 trucks were traced to the National Strategic Reserve depot in Minna, leaving a total of 31 trucks unaccounted for.

    “I am passionate about the issue of the missing 31 trucks of grains because I am an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) myself.

    “After been given the trust to transport the grains, somebody went and diverted it, I am assuring you that the EFCC is doing its job on the matter,” Ndume said.

    He added: “When we dug up we found it was a cartel, a syndicate or at best a group of thieves doing this to us; there was a great connivance and head will roll.”

    “There is a second phase of the case coming up because they also stole our grains during the regime of Present Good luck Jonathan, am going to follow it up too.

    “Jonathan ordered the release of 600 trucks and they stole more than 100 trucks out of it,” he said.

    Ndume added: “They cannot go to sleep while I am alive. I will follow it up because it is the same contractor.”