Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Dr. Betta Edu, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, recently visited Niger State to address the plight of over 22,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). During her visit, she met with Hajiya Fatima Umar Bago, the First Lady of Niger State, who welcomed her.
Dr. Edu pledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to establish a resettlement city for IDPs in Niger State as part of medium-term plans. She emphasized the importance of education in eradicating poverty and assured the IDPs of federal government support, including inclusion in National Social Investment Programmes and the National Social Register.
She said “ We are considering resettling the IDPs here because of the insecurity in their various places; we are optimistic that resettling them in Shiroro will be better for now”
Furthermore, Dr. Edu distributed empowerment starter packs to IDPs who had undergone training through the National Social Investment Programme. She also inspected UNICEF-made classrooms for out-of-school IDP children at Gwada camp in Shiroro LGA.
The First Lady of Niger State commended President Tinubu’s plans to assist the state government in tackling insecurity and addressing the IDP challenges.
Niger’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ahmed Suleiman, expressed concern about the state’s 22,071 IDPs and the impact of insecurity on farming and education. He highlighted the strain on educational institutions due to their use as provisional refuge for displaced persons.
In response, Dr. Betta Edu assured the IDPs of the federal government’s determination to combat insecurity and provide durable solutions. President Tinubu’s commitment to creating a resettlement city for the displaced was reaffirmed, ensuring safety and access to education for IDPs.