11th August, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the International Christian Centre in Edo state who resisted evacuation to Jigawa and Kano states by security operatives last weekend have been assured they can stay for as long as they wish.
The state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who gave the assurance on Tuesday when he visited the camp at Uhogua in Ovia North-East local government
area of the state in company of Iara, his wife, assured them that they would not be relocated against their wish.
Oshiomhole who denied knowledge of any planned relocation of the IDPs said the action was caused by “communication gap”. He described as shocking attempts to relocate the IDPs last Sunday by security agents, disclosing that the issue took him to Abuja to meet with the Presidency, where he prevailed on him to allow the children remain in the camp, that the state government will take care of their needs despite the current economic hardship.
“I was not aware of an attempt to relocate them. But I think it is a lapse in communication. The recent issue was just because of the impression that some of the kids wanted to reunite with their parents, but we said it was better for their parents to come here and see their children.
“It is very touching seeing these kids, I think the good news is that the Edo state government will take over their welfare, we will treat them the same way we treat every other child in Edo state. I imagine how they feel not being with their parents. What is very clear to me is that they are all happy to be here and they want to remain here. So we will give them every support that they need. We will build a standard secondary and primary school and we will bring qualified government teachers here. We will also build modern hostels here so that they will have more comfort.
“I saw one woman who said the husband ran to Cameroun, like my wife said to them they will become our children,” he stated.
About 1,300 persons including 900 reportedly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency are in the camp operated by the International Christian Centre For Missions.
Comrade Governor Oshiomhole was unhappy with a television report linking the relocation move as political and that he was aware. “Everybody is concerned that the kids should be saved. Nobody had any negative motive in moving the children. Having lived in the North all my life I believe any where any Nigeria find himself should be his home. That is why we abolish indigeneship in this state.
“What is important is that these children are no longer orphans. We will treat them like our children. The Red Cross has been able to locate some parents. We will provide transportation for some parents to come and see their children. The government is doing its best for IDPs in the country, it is a huge humanitarian challenge. We will do our best.
“I am not a desperate person. I earned my votes on merit. I make decisions because I am convinced. I am not looking for camera opportunity. My conscience is powerful,” the governor said.
He interacted with the IDPs in Hausa language, and most of them informed him of the name of their states and communities.
The children who were elated while interacting with the governor, prayed fervently for him and expressed their gratitude to the first lady llara, who declared that she has taken them as her children.
“I can see the children are from different states in the North, from Taraba, Borno, Kano, Yobe, etc, they are very young children. We have to do every thing to ensure they are comfortable .We have discussed with security agencies, they will ensure that adequate security is provided to secure these children.
“Those of them that we have identified their parents, we will arrange at the expense of the Edo state government, we will arrange for them to meet their parents so that they can reunite with their children. They can leave them behind if they wish but at least they will be assured that their children are in good hands.
“I have assigned about seven senior officers, two Commissioners and others. I have asked the Commissioner for Education that we commence the building of a primary school here so that no child will be denied quality education in Edo state. I know they already have what you call a school but in Edo state we have standard. We are particularly keen on ensuring that no child is denied education. It does not matter if they are not from Edo state but we are one Nigeria, once you are in Edo state you are part of us,” the governor said.
The IDPs who were happy at the cherry news were later given lunch packs.
Among relief items brought by the governor were 500 bags of rice and five cows.