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Maiduguri, April 5, 2017(NAN) The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has planned to empower Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to the liberated communities in Borno.
Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq,stated this when she started distribution of relief materials to IDPs living in Maiduguri.
She was reacting to the State Government planned relocation of IDPs back home by May 29.
“The Borno State Government is making efforts to see that IDPs are returned home by next month.
“We are happy with this, we are going to come in to offer our own support in the areas of empowerment and skills acquisition to those returning home,” Umar-Farouq said.
She explained that the gesture was aimed at laying solid foundation for the IDPs to start a new life in their communities.
“Our intention is to support the returning IDPs so they can start their life all over again.
“They have lost almost everything in life, by the time they go back there is need for us to support them to be on their feet,” Umar- Farouq said.
She said that the commission would also assist the IDPs with trade tools and farm implements.
“We are going to give farming tools and whatever assurance we can give to empower them for their livelihood,” Umar-Farouq said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the relief materials distributed were food stuffs and other items meant to give succour to the IDPs.
She said that the action was based on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari as he was concerned about the living conditions of the IDPs.
“The provision of the relief materials today does not reflect the totality of our intentions, neither does it reflect what we hope to achieve.
“Rather it is a means for us to demonstrate to you that we empathise with the plight of the affected population and to assure you that we are very committed to our responsibilities,” Umar- Farouq said.
She applauded the efforts of security agencies in promoting peace and stability in the state.
“I wish to applaud the efforts of the Borno State government, the local leaders, the security forces and the communities in promoting peace and stability in the state.
“The progress made is promising and it assures us that it is indeed possible to restore the state to its former glory,” Umar-Farouq said.
Meanwhile, the commission has donated drugs and medical consumables worth several millions of Naira to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) medical outreach for the well being of the IDPs.
Air Commodore Charles Onwo,the Commander of the NAF Component of Operation Lafiya Dole, received the items.
He expressed gratitude for the gesture and promised that the items will be judiciously used . (NAN)
ABI/OSA/MTM
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Tukur Muntari.
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