No fewer than 100 households benefited from the federal government’s food distribution for internally displaced persons in Kwara State over the weekend.
The food items distributed included rice, garri, semovita, spaghetti, vegetable oil, and salt.
At the flag-off ceremony held at the Federal Secretariat in Ilorin, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, expressed the federal government’s concern for the plight of internally displaced persons and its commitment to alleviating their suffering.
“What we are doing here is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has wholeheartedly supported our efforts to provide meaningful assistance to the displaced persons.
“Today’s event is of great importance, and we are here because we have the mandate to ensure durable solutions for people in need,” he said.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Communications and Strategy of the commission, Tunde Oyasanya, the Federal Commissioner urged the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them for their intended purpose.
“The commission has allocated a significant sum of money to purchase these items and support you. We implore you not to sell them.
This is just one of our programmes, and very soon we will initiate livelihood programmes to empower each one of you.
We want to focus on what you can do for yourselves and how you can generate income.”
Ahmed commended the Kwara State Government for its resilience and commitment to the welfare of the people, urging the public not to stigmatise the victims.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, John Bello, acknowledged the challenge that internally displaced persons pose to governments at all levels.
He emphasised the administration’s commitment to alleviating the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and other vulnerable members of society.
“The issue of IDPs is a serious challenge for the government and society at large. The government is making efforts to alleviate the suffering of the affected people at all levels.
“The moment you are displaced or migrate from one place to another, you won’t settle down well, and you are likely to strain existing facilities in your new location, which affects society and, by extension, the government,” AbdulRazaq said.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of the North Central National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Bashir Abuga Yusuf, lamented the alarming increase in internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
He attributed this increase to both natural and human factors.
“The increase and spread of internally displaced persons in Nigeria are at an alarming rate, resulting from factors such as violent conflict, natural hazards, and human factors like banditry.
However, internally displaced persons face various challenges and are at greater risk of physical attacks, sexual exploitation, and adoption, and are often deprived of adequate shelter, food, and health services.”
“The federal government is not the sole entity responsible for displaying service to humanity. Individuals should also collaborate with the government to enhance the quality of life for everyone,” the Zonal Coordinator appealed.
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