NBMA calls for collaboration to support IDPs
NAN-AE-9
IDPs
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Oct. 12, 2017 (NAN) Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) on Thursday called on Nigerians and agencies to collaborate in assisting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to return home.
Ebegba made the call when NBMA’s staff visited The Nigeria Foundation for the Support of Victims of Terrorism at the Victim Support Fund Office in Abuja.
“We could be victims like them but fortunately we are not so this is an opportunity to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters who are victims of circumstances.
“Today we have some items to support our fellow Nigerians not because we have so much but to give them hope in life; all of us seated here have hope, but these ones do not know when the next meal will come.
“If everybody tries to give out something it will turn into something marvelous so the essence is to appeal to Nigerians and other agencies to join hands with the Federal Government to support the victims who have not chosen to be victims.’’
He said the agency decided to visit the victim support office because it was the most appropriate office to visit.
“We came here because you have records and also know how to prioritise and know the areas that need them first and most.
“These victims are not even thinking of education or good environment but how to survive, be alive and have something to eat,’’ he said.
Responding, Dr Sunday Ochoche, the Executive Director, Victims Support Fund, thanked the staff and management of NBMA for the hand of support extended to the victims.
“We thank you so much for steeping out of your comfort zone, even when we talk about a comfort zone we are really inconsiderate; because we know that in the current situation of things in Nigeria there is hardly any public servant that can say that he or she is really in a comfort zone.
He said there was no single agency out there, not even the Federal Government that had the capacity by itself to make significant difference to the situation.
We assure you that every single kobo and items donated will go directly to the victims,’’ he said.
He, however, called on these victims to start thinking of returning to their bases and home towns.
“We want to encourage these victims to begin to return to their base, although there is still much to be done in terms of security but it has significantly changed for the better.
He said that Victim Support Fund Office was working hard to support those who had returned.
He said the office was doing a lot of reconstructions and had reconstructed schools, hospitals and police barracks in some of the affected areas.
NAN reports that the items donated included 5kg bags of rice, indomine noodles, Groundnut oil, Spaghetti, maggi, salt, biscuits, tomatoes paste, detergent, washing soaps, bathing soaps and tissue papers. (NAN)
EPA/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide