A News Analysis by Bridget Ikyado
Commemorating The National Day For Internally Displaced Persons
November 4 is marked as the national day of displaced persons and this year’s event was marked amid flooding which increased the number of displaced persons in Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the first countries to set aside a date to celebrate the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP).
In Benue there are over 1million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in various camps in Benue State. They were displaced from their ancestral homes by armed herdsmen and militias ,with recent addition by flood and forced to live outside their communities in very excruciating conditions.
Moved by the condition of the IDPs, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia had in the course of his electioneering campaign promised to prioritise the resettlement of all IDPs in the state, for them to return to their normal lives Hence Benue leads in the celebration of the day of IDP to remind them their sufferings will come to an end soon.
Since his inauguration, the governor has been coordinating efforts to see to the realisation of this promise.
So far, the State Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Un-International Organisation for Migration (IOM),UNHCR,UNICEF and other foreign donors completed biometric verification of the IDPs for proper documentation ahead of the state government resettlement Plan.
The IDPs, who celebrated the day at all 14 camps in the state, expressed optimism that in spite of their challenges, they were still alive.
To mark the day at the Ortese IDP camp, Mr Martins Terver thanked God for his life, appreciating the Government and UN bodies for various support ranging from Shelter and other basic amenities.
Comfort Iordaa, said all her fears were gone since she learnt some skill acqusition in the camp and could be self reliant.
Mr Solomon Akaayar said he never knew he could see shelter with food, water and support to start his business again, he said he had been a rice farmer and seller.
The Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said the state would commence the IDPs farm with a six-hectare pilot farm in Gbajimba, Guma LG.
Iorpuu said plans were at an advanced stage to resettle all IDPs to their ancestral homes, adding that the new tents were temporary homes.
He said the state has already identified durable solutions that would permanently end the unprovoked attacks on innocent people in the state.
Iorapuu said, the process for the resettlement of the over 1.5 million IDPs in the state will be driven by patriotism, accountability, openness and equity.
In her remarks, Ms Mediatrice Barengayabo, Head, Benue Sub-Office, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), commended the IDPs for their resilient spirit.
Barengayabo said the strength and commitment of the IDPs have further made their work easier.
She commended the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance for providing the funds to execute numerous projects and the Benue Government for her support and hospitality.
To drive this point, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, says communities must support the Initiative.
He commended the unwavering resilience and determination of Internally Displaced persons in Nigeria and the Resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria at ensuring total rehabilitation reintegration and resettlement.
According to him, the federal and Benue state governments are very committed to the project, just as the UNs organisations support of communities is vital for the successful implementation of the IDPs’ resettlement.
No doubt, the governor Alia administration has shown unwavering commitment to get all IDPs to a secure environment after 13 years of displacement of families due to insecurity, including children who have been unable to go to school.
~Bridget Ikyado is the Principal Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Benue State on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications****
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