By ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Person’s (NCFRMI), Hajiya Imaan- Suleiman Ibrahim said quality healthcare and provision of relief materials remained one of cardinal objectives of the commission.
The Hon Federal Commissioner made this statement in her remarks in Kebbi state at the occasion of the distribution of relief materials and launch of ‘Project Total Health’ and free medical outreach for person’s of concern POC’s .She that the relief materials were provided to the IDPs to alleviate their sufferings.
She assured Nigerians that the present administration had prioritized not only the welfare of the IDPs , but created an enabling environment for meaningful engagements in and out of the camps.
Hajiya Imaan-Suleiman Ibrahim maintained that the launch in Kebbi in Ribah, Danko – Wasagu local government area is expected to go round the country, so as to give a sense of belonging to the IDPs in Nigeria.
She lauded Kebbi state Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu for accorded top priority to the welfare of the people of the state.
She stated that a medical outreach would be conducted in the camp to check the health status of the IDPs.
The Director of IDPs , National Commission of Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Alhaji Musa Muhammad said bringing succour to refugees or those Internally displaced from their communities was the major mandate of the Commission.
The Commission, according to him have mapped out strategies to assist the IDPS so as to reduce their hardship as well as rehabilitate them.
Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said President Muhammadu Buhari has made tremendous investments in security from 2015 to date.
The governor also noted that a lot of tangible progress has been recorded during the period under review particularly on the welfare of Internally displaced persons across the country.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum spoke on Saturday,at Ribah, Danko Wasagu Local Government during the flag off of distribution of assorted relief materials to IDPs by National Commission of Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons this Saturday.
Bagudu also stated the federal government was recruiting more security personnel, while modern equipment, arms and ammunition were also provided to the security agencies.
According to Bagudu, the gesture by the federal government was very commendable.
The Kebbi state Governor further said that security challenges were not only peculiar to Nigeria or the state.
He lauded the resilience and patience of the people of the state, as well as urged them to continue to be their brothers’ keepers.
Bagudu vowed that the people of the state would not be cowed down by a few unscrupulous elements who were bent on tormenting the law abiding citizens of the country.
He again urged communities to complement the efforts of the three tiers of government and the security agencies.
According to him, Kebbi State was not doing badly in terms of the prevailing security challenges. Peace he said, was gradually returning to areas affected by banditry in Zuru Emirate.
He acknowledged the courage of farmers in the state, saying that bumper harvests were being recorded in the state.
‘ Our farmers are resilient and continue their cultivation, the situation did not deter them ‘, he emphasized.
The Chiefdom of Wasagu, Alhaji Musa Muktar while welcoming the Federal Commissioner and her entourage however requested the government to mobilize more security personnel to the area in order to provide adequate security for the IDPs to return back to their homes .
He averred ‘ Our people are hardworking and resilient, what they need is not relief assistance but security to be able to go back home and cultivate their farms.
‘ Give them security and they feed the entire state and beyond because they are real farmers.
‘ Most of the refugees you see here are from the neighboring states who are displaced by the activities of the bandits in their states ‘.
The traditional leader appreciated the myriad of intervention and assistance from the State governor to people of the area since the security crises started which according to him has now reduced.
The State House of Assembly member representing Danko Wasagu West, Hon Haliru Aliyu, the Sole Administrator of Maga/Kyebu Area Development Council, Hajiya Hafsat Muhammad all expressed gratitude to the Federal Commissioner for the relief assistance to the IDPS in the area.
They extolled governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for doing his best to curtail insecurity in the area and providing soccour to refugees.
‘ The governor made over ten trips to Bena and Danko Wasagu because of his concern for our people’.
They requested for deployment of more security personnel in the area for people to go back to their homes .
In the same vein , those who spoke on behalf of the IDPs Shehu S/Fawa and Nasara Maigero , Women Leader Dankane also made a passionate appeal to government to assist them relocate back to their homes and start petty business .
The Governor and the Federal Commissioner, before departing, paid homage to the Emir of Zuru, rtd Major General Muhammed Sani Sami, Gomo 11 where the Commissioner expressed delight with the visit and show of concern from the political and traditional leaders of the area.
She informed the Emir about her mission to the state while also commending the Governor for his unwaivering commitment to alleviate the plight of the IDPs in the state.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu while thanking the Commissioner for the visit also thanked the Emir , religious and community leaders as well as the security for their support in dealing with security challenges in the area.
The Progressive Governor’s Forum Chairman expressed concern over the poor condition of roads in the area. He announced that the state Government would repair the Zuru/ Ribah road as soon as the raining season ends.
Responding, the Emir of Zuru, rtd Major General Muhammed Sani Sami, Gomo 11 expressed gratitude for the visit .
The monarch commended the Commissioner for coming all the way from Abuja to bring succour to IDPs . He also appreciated the effort of the governor towards the general development of the state particularly in dealing with insecurity.
According to him, the efforts of the President, the Governor and the security agencies have positively resulted in the gradual return of peace to the area .
The Governor was accompanied by the former Governor of Jigawa State, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Acting Head of Service, Safiyanu Garba Bena, the Deputy Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Ankwai ,members of the house of assembly from the area, Chairmen of Zuru and Danko Wasagu and their Councillors .
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Danko Wasagu Local Government, Hon. Hussaini Bena expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Commissioner for coming to distribute relief assistance to IDPs in the area.
He said such assistance would go a long way in reducing the hardship being faced by the IDPs in the camp.
