The Federal Government distributed millions of naira in food and non-food goods to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, presented the products to the IDPs in Abuja and stated that the donation was to honor the 2023 Independence Day celebration.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the donations went to displaced people in the FCT’s Durumi, New Karshi, and Wassa IDP camps.
The displaced people are mostly from Gwoza in Borno and Adamawa, and they have relocated to Abuja as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
In his address to the IDPs, Ahmed reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusion and guaranteed that the Commission will continue to promote innovation and actively seek sustainable solutions for all persons of concern.
“Today, we gather in Durumi, Abuja, on a mission to extend a helping hand to those residing in the Durumi IDPs Camp. Our purpose is to critical support in the form of agricultural inputs, educational supplies and food care packs.
“As our nation celebrates its 63rd Independence Day, we renew our unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“Our resolve is clear: no one, regardless of their gender, age, or vulnerabilities, should be left without vital support, echoing the President’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda.
“The importance of providing assistance to IDPs cannot be overstated. Neglecting those in displacement can have profound social and economic consequences for both the displaced and their host communities,” he said.
According to him, in the face of protracted displacement crises that often affect IDPs, ensuring access to assistance during such times is of utmost importance.
“In keeping with the commission’s sustainable solutions strategy and our dedication to the well-being of host communities, we are proud to announce the provision of essential agricultural inputs.
“These initiatives aim to empower our displaced population, many of whom are skilled farmers, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
“Furthermore, we are equally committed to providing Educational Supplies to ensure that IDP children and adolescents have access to learning materials, facilitating their educational growth and development.
“Additionally, we are distributing food care packs to alleviate immediate hunger and provide much-needed sustenance to those in need,” he added.
400 hundreds of customized practice books, 180 pieces of school sandals, 10 pieces of white board, and 10 pieces of white board dusters were among the educational supplies supplied.
Other items include 180 customized school bags, 180 customized plastic tables and chairs, biros, and pencils.
The IDPs also received agricultural inputs such as 26 pesticides, 26 herbicides, 26 insecticides, 86 sprayers, and 25 irrigation pumps.
There were 97 bags of 25kg rice, 97 cartons of spaghetti, 97 bags of 1kg Semovita, 20 cartons of vegetable oil, 26 cartons of spice, and 22 cartons of salt among the food products.
The Chairman of Durumi Camp, Ibrahim Ahmad, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government on behalf of the beneficiaries.