Toba Owojaiye reporting
Makurdi, Benue state.
Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, joined forces with Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia to inaugurate the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Renewed Hope shelters in Tatyo and Kyo communities, located in the Makurdi North Local Government Area of Benue State.
The initiative aims to provide housing for the poor and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and marks a significant step toward reducing humanitarian crises and poverty challenges.
Dr. Edu, in her address, emphasized the project’s fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the prolonged Herdsmen-farmers conflict in Benue. The Renewed Hope shelter, comprising a learning center, health facility, and market, will be constructed by community members under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with the Benue State Government.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for restoring peace to Tatyo and Tyo communities, which have been marred by violence since 2012, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Notably, over 12,000 lives have been lost in Tatyo alone since 2011, with thousands rendered homeless due to attacks.
Governor Alia acknowledged the suffering of displaced indigenes and pledged to collaborate with the federal government to facilitate their return to ancestral homes. He lauded Dr. Edu’s passion for vulnerable individuals in the state and commended President Tinubu for fulfilling the campaign promise of providing Renewed Hope Shelters.
Dr. Edu, echoing President Tinubu’s commitment to food security, highlighted Benue’s pivotal role as the “Food Basket of the Nation.” The Renewed Hope project not only addresses shelter needs but aligns with Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, emphasizing the importance of Benue in achieving national food security.
As the IDPs danced with joy during this groundbreaking event, it signified a momentous occasion – the first step for widows, women, men, and children to return to their ancestral land after a decade of displacement.
In conclusion, the collaboration between the federal and state governments, led by Dr. Edu and Governor Alia, brings renewed optimism to Benue State, promising a brighter future for its residents.
The press release was undersigned by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), SA Media & Publicity to the Honorable minister, Betta Edu.