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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Worried by the plight of Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) in Benue state, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has donated food and non food items to the persons of concern.
Making the donations at Abagana IDP camp in Makurdi, on Tuesday, the National President, Comrade Emmanuel Osodeke, said they were in the state to show kindness to the Benue IDPs.
He said the donation is a national programme embarked by the union as same programme is going on simultaneously across the country.
The President who was represented by the National Resource Person, Professor Ralph Ofukwu, said “the purpose of our visit today is to show the kindness of ASUU, the kindness that ASUU has been fighting for the upliftment of the masses.
“One of it is what we are doing throughout the country. As we are here in Abagana camp, ASUU is also in Niger, Gombe and other places, giving this to those who are marginalized especially at this time of excruciating poverty, time our people are suffering from fuel subsidy removal and a time when people at the camp have nothing to eat.
“That is why we have come with a total number of 1,246 bags of assorted food items including rice, beans, groundnut oil and other ingredients. We have also brought cartons of sanitary towel for the use of women in the camp,” he said.
While appreciating the the state government through the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), for their guidance and care for the IDPs, Osodeke called on the federal government to secure communities in the state and across the country to enable the displaced persons return to their homes.
“We are encouraging the federal government to clear the communities of every security impediments so that the IDPs can go back to their ancestral homes. Government should provide security and rebuild some of their homes destroyed by the vandals. This place is not your home and we pray that this will happen soon.,” he said.
Also speaking, immediate past National Welfare Officer of ASUU, Professor Stella-Maris Okey, expressed sadness over number and conditions of the IDPs especially pregnant women and children saying the situation calls for urgent action.
“It’s so sad, in a country that has so much money. We know what out leaders, senators are taking home. What stops the government from providing security for them to go back. Staying here, we are encouraging the people to mass reproduce.
“Looking at the number of children, pregnant young ladies in the camp, it is so unfortunate that a country referred to as the giant of Africa has this kind of serious challenges. So I am calling on the federal government to come to the aid of the suffering masses and assist us,” she added.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, represented by the Programme Manager, James Iorhuna, appreciated ASUU for their kind gesture saying despite not having salaries for over eight months, the union still managed to put monies together for the donations.
He prayed God to bless them and make them excel in their careers especially as they continue to impart knowledge on the Nigerian children.
Iorpuu also solicited for support and prayers for the state saying the people have continued to come under attacked by herdsmen militia even as the state government has commenced plans to resettle the IDPs back home.
The Camp Manager and Woman leader, Festus Adzende and Esther Oota, respectively, also appreciated ASUU for remembering them in times of their need and prayed God to bless them richly.
