…as NCFRMI distributes relief materials to 1000 beneficiaries in Nasarawa
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has commended the Federal Commissioner/CEO of the Natiknal Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, for his foresight to permanently rehabilitate IDPS in the country.
Governor Sule made the commendation during the distribution of relief materials by the NCFRMI to 1000 beneficiaries who were recently affected by a windstorm in the state at the Government House on Thursday.
The Governor particularly appreciated the Federal Commissioner over his decision to construct skills acquisition centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country in order to provide IDPs with skills to become self-reliant.
“I was so happy to hear the Federal Commissioner thinking outside the box. When he started mentioning skills acquisition centres, I think that is thinking outside the box for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons. Because that is the direction to go in order to give them some sense of belonging, some sense of independence, and for them to be able to stand on their own feet,” the Governor said.
While urging the NCFRMI to locate one of its planned skills acquisition centres in Nasarawa State for the people to benefit, he emphasized that his administration accords top priority to skills acquisition which explained the establishment of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technical Institute in Lafia.
Governor Sule used the opportunity of the event to show appreciation to the Federal Commissioner, the NCFRMI, Federal Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their continuous support for victims of natural disasters across the country.
On the scheduled commissioning of the resettlement city built by the NCFRMI in Keffi, the Governor expressed his willingness to grace the occassion as requested by the Federal Commissioner.
“I also want to show great appreciation for the project that you have in Keffi. I will be more than happy to come and hand over the keys because that is in line with our own vision as recently we handed keys to civil servants so that they can become home owners. I am happy that you are extending similar gesture to Keffi for people who have been affected by one form of disaster or the other,” he said.
In his speech, Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, said he was in Nasarawa State to flag off the distribution of relief materials, rice, spagethy, maggi and clothing to IDPs in the state recently affected by windstorm, as well as communal strifes.
Hon. Ahmed explained that he was also in Nasarawa to solicit greater collaboration between the NCFRMI and the state government towards assisting most vulnerable persons in the state.
According to the Federal Commissioner, this collaboration between NCFRMI and the Nasarawa State Government will greatly impact the lives of Persons of Concern especially in providing durable solutions in the areas of psychosocial and mental health treatment, livelihood support, displacement and disaster management, provision of relief materials, provision of basic healthcare needs, education and skills acquisition, as well as exploring other ways for the betterment of the most vulnerable persons in the society.
He disclosed that NCFRMI is establishing skills acquisition centres across the six geopolitical zones, in tune with its skills-to-wealth strategic initiative.
He added that already, the commission has so far built 6 resettlement cities in Kano, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Edo and Nasarawa for POCs, with that of Nasarawa located in Keffi ready for handing over to beneficiaries.
Hon. Ahmed therfore sought for more collaboration between the NCFRMI and the state government.
“I would like to request for a stronger partnership between the Commission and Nasarawa State Government through open dialogue with Your Excellency and your team, recommendation of possible steps needed for progress, robust feedback based on the mechanisms set by the Commision, collection and deployment of proper data on IDPs and provision of targeted interventions,” he stated.
Earlier in her welcome address, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon. Magret Elayo, recalled that a windstorm recently ravaged communities in Aloshi, in Keana Local Government Area, Awe and Doma Local Government Areas of the state, displacing several persons across the affected communities.
Hon. Elayo highlighted on the efforts of the state government as instructed by Governor Sule who though he was not in the state when the incidence occurred, took prompt steps to provide succour to the displaced persons.
She explained that the Federal Commissioner, desirous of reaching out to the victims of both the windstorm and communal clash in Katakpa in Toto Local Government Area, contacted her ministry with a view to working together to assist the victims.
“The Hon. Federal Commissioner reached out to us and wanted to key into the journey that His Excellency has started. He requested us to go in and do the necessary assessment so that we can capture the people who are actually affected by the windstorm.
“We did that, and we submitted our list, and today, he is here with his entire team to make sure that these people are being taken care of. Today, we have relief materials for 1000 beneficiaries who were affected by the recent windstorm. That comprises people from Ekye in Doma LGA, Keana, Aloshi ward, and Awe Local Government,” she said.
While thanking the humanitarian community from the Federal Government, Hon. Elayo announced that Governor Sule has also donated ten million naira to the people of Keana towards rebuilding their community.
She added that plans are underway to also cushion the effects of the recent windstorm across all the affected communities.
Highlights of the event was the distribution of relief materials to the IDPs by Governor Sule, supported by the Federal Commissioner.