18th September, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Edo state government on Friday announced a donation of N2 million, for the the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons at their camp in Uhogua near Benin City, the state capital.
Other items presented to the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency included clothes, footwear, books, toiletries and others materials running into millions of naira to the IDPS.
Wife of the state governor, Iara Oshiomhole who made the donation on behalf of the state government when she visited the camp, assured inmates of the camp that the state would do everything possible to make life as comfortable as possible for persons in the camp.
According to her, “this visit is a follow up to our earlier visit and as we did promise, the government and people of Edo State are ready to make you as comfortable as possible.
“We are fully aware of the circumstances that made you to leave your homes and we are sure that in a very short time, peace will return to every part of Nigeria. Let me emphasise that you are at home anywhere in Nigeria.
“We are planning to come back so that we can have a party together and know more about each other. Edo State has promised to provide an enabling environment that will enhance your education and general well-being.
“Towards that end, I am here today with some of the regular requirements for your well-being. While we understand that nothing can be provided as adequate replacement for the comfort of your homes, it is our resolve to ensure that you have all that can humanly be made available.
“Today, every person in this camp will have pairs of changeable clothes, foot wear, books and household basic toiletries such as soap.
“Let me use this opportunity to encourage you once again to take advantage of the warmth and facilities provided by the people and government of Edo State to enhance your opportunities in this great country. Prepare yourselves for the future through the skills acquisition and education.
“I promise to do everything possible to make your life easier here. On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I will like to donate the sum of N2 milllion for the upkeep of the camp.
“Please, let the children all habe the right sizes of clothes, so that the next time we come here, they will all have the right clothes on and they will be like every other kid out there, so nobody will ever know that they are in a camp.”
On her part, wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Endurance Odubu said, “We have come with our mummy to show our love and concern. Her coming shows the extent to which she loves you.
“I want to encourage you not to see what has happened to you as a setback. Don’t fold your hands, you can still be what you want to be, only be focused, determined and work hard”, she admonished.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Mrs. Lucy Omagbon thanked the wife of the Governor for her kind expression of love to the internally displaced person which she noted was a fulfulmemt of the promise she had earlier made to them few weeks back.
She said, “We are happy to have the First Lady, our mummy in this place today. We are so glad for her show of love and mother hood. She did say the last time that these children are her own and she has demonstrated it by bringing succor to you today.”
Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Coordinator of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho thanked the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole for her care and concern for the Internally Displaced Persons.
He also conveyed the appreciation of the children to her for her earlier visit which he noted now made it easier for them to sleep well and live comfortably.