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Tag: IDPs

  • 1.5m IDPs in Nigeria, says UN

    1.5m IDPs in Nigeria, says UN

    •Ki-Moon coming on Sunday

    United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mr Daouda Toure yesterday pleaded for more resources to meet the needs of internally displaced people.

    There are about 1.5 million of them.

    Toure spoke in Abuja during the activities to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day celebration with the theme: “Inspiring the World’s Humanity”.

    “We appeal for more resources to respond particularly to the education and health needs of the displaced people.

    “What is available is not commensurate with the situation on ground as the crisis in the North-East is not publicised enough.

    “Nigeria is the major contributor to peace keeping in the world, so the international community need to contribute more resources, step up their support and restore the livelihood of these vulnerable people.

    “We need to come and help them, help their brothers and sisters and help them get a better future for their children.’’

    Toure added that the major challenges facing the humanitarian community today was the lack of access to security and limited resources.

    He called on stakeholders to mobilise themselves, unite and re-examine the reasons for the slow response and support needed to tackle the security challenges.

    Earlier, Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stated that the capacity to handle the present IDPs was not enough.

    Sidi added that though a lot of effort and resources had been channelled towards the displaced persons, it was not enough because of their increasing population.

    He said that responses to the needs of the IDPs were dwindling due to lack of adequate capacity.

    Sidi said there was the need for proper coordination to enable them to harness all available resources to improve the living standard of the IDPs.

    He said that the day was set aside to celebrate the gallantry of humanitarian service providers.

    He said the theme of the day was intended to steer actions of people around the world for a greater humanity and advocate for more peaceful world.

    “We are celebrating people who have sacrificed their lives for peace in the world.

    “These are people who have lost their lives or survived different threats to life while providing humanitarian services especially in violent conflict situations.

    “This celebration is an opportunity to advocate for a peaceful world, bring hope to people affected by disaster and guarantee safety of humanitarian providers rendering service in the Northeast.’’

    He stated that Nigeria had faced a lot of challenges in recent times with the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Sidi commended and thanked the UN and all stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period.

    Similarly, Mr Danladi Kifasi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, said the day was an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of workers and volunteers who devote themselves in assisting the world’s most vulnerable people.

    Kifasi, who was represented by Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Director, Special Duties, also said it was appropriate to remember members of the armed forces and security personnel.

    He added that these groups of people defended the unarmed and vulnerable men, women and children in the Northeast.

    He added that it was through the noble efforts and humanitarian activities of the military that Nigeria had remained indivisible and still able to play its role in the comity of nations.

    The event was organised by NEMA to celebrate the spirit of humanity and people who sacrificed their lives in the cause of rendering humanitarian service.

    The day is an annual and global event dedicated by the UN to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.

    The UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon, is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said yesterday.

    A statement said the UN chief would meet President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday and subsequently engage in other field activities.

  • IDPs welfare is top priority, says Buhari

    IDPs welfare is top priority, says Buhari

    The resettlement and comfort of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will remain a top priority of the Federal  Government, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja on Monday.

    He made the declaration after receiving briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Ezekiel Oyebola Oyemomi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the well-being of about 1.5 million people displaced by the insurgency in the North-East must always be uppermost in the minds of those in government.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, therefore directed the ministry to always be mindful of the pathetic circumstances of the IDPs, and factor them into proposals for next year’s Budget.

    “You must help to  improve their situation,” the President told the Permanent Secretary and his team of officials.

    Dr Oyemomi briefed  President Buhari on the activities of his Ministry as well as the Ministry’s  successes and the challenges.

    He asked for improved funding for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in the 2016 budget.

     

  • NHRC partners NEMA on IDPs

    NHRC partners NEMA on IDPs

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has partnered  with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to address the challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary Prof. Bem Angwe disclosed this when the Director-General of  NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Sidi and his management staff paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary at the Commission headquarters in Abuja.

    Prof. Angwe praised NEMA for responding promptly to the plight  of some displaced persons in Abuja.

    He said: “NEMA is fighting an armed  conflict called the wars of the 21st century, these wars are fought by non-state actors who cannot be identified and most often easily  mix with the civilian population therefore  making it difficult for the military who are doing their best to identify and eliminate them

    “The concept of NEMA was not to manage this form of armed conflict against  Nigerian state, this task is overwhelming but at no time have we  heard NEMA crying out and complaining. Today every Nigerian is concerned about the condition of vulnerable people in the country.

    “Most people who are not IDPS are claiming to be one, taking advantage of the IDPs situation, but every Nigerian is entitled to  some welfare by the government. Government has a duty to ensure that  every Nigerian does  have shelter over his head, food, etc. so we must protect Nigerians, we must protect Nigerians who are in   IDPs condition, we must  also protect ordinary citizens who are not IDPS

    Prof. Angwe stated: “We have agreed that on August 19 August 2015,  stakeholders in all the states will converge and  hold Stakeholders  meeting at the conference hall of NHRC in Abuja to discuss the challenges of the IDPS,  the states must put in place a mechanism that protects the 310 Centres  and NHRC has  monitors in the 10 states  mostly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “This is not adequate a number to cover all the IDPS in these states, the commission has a  situation room, for all IDPs monitors  to transmit all their findings directly to NHRC so that we  cover and monitor development on IDP camps.

    “These are periodic assignments as they visit the IDPs  once or twice a week, this is not a situation this country is used to,  suicide bombing is alien to our culture. We need to send this dragon called suicide bombing  away from our society. We believe that one day God Almighty will put all these in a bottle and bottle up the dragon

    “We have IDPs in Abuja, Benin,  so, how many houses will the government rent in order to  meet the needs of these people in order to balance Human Rights with humanitarian needs. We are going to work with you and give support ;as it is a national problem, it  must be addressed and all institutions involved with conflict must stand up. NEMA  and the Human Rights Commission must collaborate to achieve great result

    “There is no job that is better than that of fighting for humanity because it has a direct reward from the creator. You find yourself a ticket and passport to eternity because no amount of money will  compensate for this selfless service”.

    Prof. Angwe praised the  DG NEMA for the waening signal he gave the country over floods,  “ we have  to be prepared so that we support the efforts of government in addressing this challenge. Assistance must be rendered in a coordinated manner” Prof. Angwe stated.

    In his speech, Alhaji Sidi thanked the commission and stated that they were on  a courtesy call to the  Executive Secretary and the commission

    He said: “NEMA is saddled with the responsibility of disaster management,Insurgency and Terrorism management is new to the agency though it is now a global phenomenon Thanks to Prof. Angwe  for his support and contributions to the Committee on National Disaster Management because of the threat of insurgency and terrorism, a  fact he felt he should come and brief the commission on.

    “The socio-economic activities in the affected states have been paralysed, more than 1.5 million people are currently displaced from the states. In Boronu, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue and other affected states”

    “NEMA has been responding to the needs of the displaced Nigerians and wants more presence of Commission’  staff in the formal camps where things are happening to enable Commission  get daily reports of what is happening,  especially as it relates to human rights,  your  presence in the camps  will strengthen the system we have in place” Alhaji. Sidi stated.

  • Ovaltine, DHL Express to donate to IDPs in Yola

    Twinings Ovaltine Nigeria Limited and DHL Express have partnered to donate Ovaltine food drinks to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Yola Camp in Adamawa State.

    The General Manager, Twinings Ovaltine Nigeria Limited, Mr. Enrico Liggeri, and his DHL counterpart, Mr. Randy Buday said the two firms were leveraging on the deal to boost their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

    At a briefing in Lagos, Liggeri said as corporate citizens, both firms recognised that this was the right time to respond to the plight of the IDPs because they required their support.

    He said Twinings Ovaltine was touched by the displaced persons’ need for highly nutritious food,  especially children, nursing mothers and aged people to keep them strong and healthy as the government  continue efforts for their permanent resettlement.

    Liggeri praised DHL Express for assisting with the transportation of the consignments of Ovaltine products from Lagos to Yola.

    Also, the Managing Director of DHL Express Nigeria, Mr. Randy Buday, said DHL Nigeria was pleased to support the initiative by Ovaltine.

  • Photo: Oshiomole, wife visit IDPs in Benin

    Photo: Oshiomole, wife visit IDPs in Benin

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara, and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp, on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara, and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp, on Wednesday
    Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Edo State Governor and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Edo State Governor and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
  • You are in safe hands, Oshiomhole assures IDPs

    You are in safe hands, Oshiomhole assures IDPs

    Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has assured the internally displaced persons at a camp in Uhogua, Benin City, that the state is home to all.
    He assured that the state government will take care of their needs while they remain in the camp.
    Speaking during his on-the-spot assessment of facilities and condition of inhabitants of the camp, in company of his wife, Iara and some senior government officials, on Wednesday, the Governor said “Nigeria is one, it doesn’t matter whether you are from Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa, Edo or Lagos , we are all one Nigeria.”
    ” I myself lived in the North all my adult life and that is why I understand the Hausa language. We will ensure you get all that you need. These are our children now and I can see that they come from different part of the country and they are very young children.
    “We will immediately bring 500 bags of rice and five cows and ensure that Doctors and Nurses are deployed to be taking care of them and will help them to develop the school, give them qualified teachers.
    “We have to do everything to ensure that they are comfortable and we have discussed with the security agencies, they will ensure that adequate security is provided to protect these children and those whose parents have been identified, we will arrange, at the expense of Edo State Government, for the parents to come here and pay them a visit so that they can reunite with their children. They can still leave them in the camp if they so wish but at least they will be assured that their children are in good hands.
    “If you have any challenges, let us know. I have assigned seven very senior officers; two Commissioners and five Directors who will be around to ensure that the kids are safe.
    “I have also discussed with and asked the Commissioner for Education to straightaway start to build schools for the children. I know you already have what you call School, but you know in Edo State we have standard and because Edo is one and we are particularly keen in ensuring that no child is denied quality education. It doesn’t matter that they are here because of some certain crisis in some part of the country but once they are in Edo State they have become part of the Edo Community and are entitled to all the privileges.
    “So we are going to rebuild the school, furnish it and post qualified government teachers here. I think the recent issue was a communication gap. There was a communication gap because the impression that people had was that some of the kids wanted to reunite with their parents. Of course we know that there is no substitute to parental care, but we said it is better for their parents to come here, see them and when they see them, they will have confidence that their children are in good hands and then decide whether to go with them or to leave them here.
    “Whatever has happened was unfortunate and I want to convey to these children and to you, the best wishes from Mr. President because yesterday I had a conversation with him and he is very concerned about the welfare of every Nigerian child and the welfare of all those who have been displaced as a result of Boko Haram and he asked me to convey his best wishes to the children and even the elderly ones among them.

    “I have assured him that Edo State Government will take full control, provide every support that you need including building a school, provide teachers, provide basic conveniences so that these children will live a very decent life because we never know, one of these might become the President tomorrow. I can see that the kids are in very good spirit. Of course, they miss their loved ones but we understand the peculiar circumstances.
    “We have taken time to study, through the security agencies, what and who are here, where they come from and how they got here and I think we have all the information now. What is important and very clear to me is that they are all happy to be here and they want to remain here and I believe any Nigerian and every Nigerian is entitled to live and stay in any place in which he has comfort or he wants to stay and so we will give them every support that they need,” the governor stated.

  • No relocation of Edo IDPs – Oshiomhole

    No relocation of Edo IDPs – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has assured Internally Displaced Persons in the state that they would not be relocated.

    About 1,300 persons including 900 reportedly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency are in a camp operated by the International Christian Mission and located at Uhogua village in Ovia North East local government area of the state.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke when he visited the camp on Tuesdayevening, said the state government would provide the necessary facilities to make their stay comfortable.

    The governor denied being aware of any planned relocation of the IDPs, saying the action was caused by “communication gap.”

    He said the state government would build a standard primary and secondary school and hostel for the IDPs educational support.

    Oshiomhole noted that any Nigerian reserved the right to live and be treated well in any part of the country.

    “Everybody is concerned that the kids should be save. Nobody had any negative motive in moving the children. Having lived in the North all my life I believe any where any Nigeria find himself should be his home. That is why we abolish indigeneship in this state,” the governor stated.

     

     

  • Photo: Internally displaced persons in Maiduguri

    Photo: Internally displaced persons in Maiduguri

  • Senate delegation donates N10m to IDPS in Maiduguri

    The senate delegation to Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday donated the sum of N10m to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

    The senate delegation led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki was in Maiduguri to see first hand, the plight of the displaced people told governor Shettima that their coming to Maiduguri is to commiserate with the people of the state and a show of solidarity for the people of the state.

    Details later…

    [news_box style=”1″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Maiduguri, Saraki” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link” header_background=”#69967b” header_text_color=”#000000″]

  • Our mission in Maiduguri – Saraki


    Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Monday promised that the Nigerian senate will do anything required to restore normalcy to North eastern Nigeria. The senate president made the statement today during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno state in order to assess the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents. Saraki, who posted about the journey on his twitter handle noted that the mission of the visit is to restore hope to the people, lament the situation of things in the state due to activities of Boko Haram insurgents. "The mission of our visit to NE is simple, to give hope and to let the people of NE know that the Nigerian Senate will not abandon them. "I urge everyone to continue to pray for peace to be restored while also trying to constructively and carefully engage those behind the atrocities. "I will make it a point to include it as part of the places we will inspect. Heard it holds over 18000 IDP's. "As individuals representing various districts and Senate as an institution, we promise to do anything required of us to restore normalcy to NE. "8th Senate will also continue to suggest ideas through motions and resolutions that can help the country put this problem behind us "There are no quick fix solutions to the problem of insurgency, we will continue to encourage all efforts, military and otherwise. "We cannot in good conscience talk to the people affected by this menace from Abuja. We are here to listen and hopefully get ideas of solutions. He noted that members of the 8th senate will stand together with President Buhari, "whose singular devotion to ending these senseless killings gives us greater believe that we will win the war," he said. "We stand with our troops and this new Senate will do all within power of authorization & approvals to support by providing funding and oversight. "Our country Nigeria is going through one of its worst challenges in history; with security challenge has come also economic challenges, he added. Furthermore, he lamented that it is very emotional to see over 2600 children made orphan by Boko Haram at Dalori IDP camp. "We will leave no stone unturned to address this," he stressed. He also stated that the senate will pass legislations, look over appropriation to find funding for rehabilitation, provide resources and provide oversight.   [news_box style="2" display="tag" link_target="_blank" tag="Maiduguri" count="6" show_more="on" show_more_type="link" header_background="#444444" header_text_color="#61d60e"]