250 IDPs in Borno state sit for WAEC examinations

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Staff Reporter

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250 internally displaced persons are taking part in this year’s West African Examination Council (WAEC) senior secondary school certificate examination.

The SSCE candidates are made up of 94 female and 156 male students.

The students wrote practicals on Wednesday at three WAEC centres, Government College, Government Girls College and ?Mustapha Umar Elkanemi Arabic Teachers College – all in Maiduguri.

Ahmed Satomi, chairman, Borno state emergency management agency, said that the 250 IDP were those who passed a special mock exam conducted for about 1000 IDPs who were in final year at secondary schools before they were displaced.

The IDPs were first evaluated and enrolled into four senior secondary schools to prepare them for the examination.

The schools are Government Secondary School, Jajeri, Govt Girls Second school, Yerwa, Govt College, Maiduguri and Government Girls College Maiduguri.

“Governor Kashim Shettima released funds to the Borno State Emergency Management Agency which we used to paying the WAEC fees of all the students,” he said.

“As you know, in Borno, the State ?Government pays for WAEC but parents pay a counterpart of N6,500 as show of commitment. So, what SEMA paid was the counterpart since the Government already paid for all WAEC students across Borno State.

“Mock exam was organized for over 1,000 IDP’S but out of them, 250 did well and were believed to be emotionally and academically set for this year’s WAEC.

“The Governor also asked us to secure JAMB forms for all of them which is being done, we hope that all of them will do well to become eligible for University admission by end of the year.”

He further said that the governor had authorised the purchase of JAMB forms for the 250 students while some of the 1000 IDPs who showed potential in the mock exams are likely to sit for exams to gain entry into tertiary institutions.

Source: The Cable

NBA Offers Free Lega Services To 1000 IDPs In Borno

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Borno State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it has offered free legal services and counselling to 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The State NBA Chairman, Babakura Kaka, stated this on Wednesday at the 2017 Legal Year celebration, during a court session at the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri.

Mr Kaka said that so far the NBA has treated and won 300 cases bordering on IDPs free of charge in courts.

He explained that the project, Legal Protection for IDPs, was designed to provide justice for all and ensure the people get the required justice.

“We are partnering with UNHCR to carry out humanitarian assistance to the IDPs by providing free legal services,” said the chairman.

Source: Channels TV

1,000 IDPs Treated By Nigerian Airforce Medical Team In Gwoza.

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Air Force has given free medicare to 1,000 returning Internally Displaced Persons, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state.

The beneficiaries were housed in the Wakani camp in Gwoza.

This is the first intervention by the Nigerian Air Force in Gwoza since it’s liberation.

However, there are over 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons living in Gwoza local government, dealing with one ailment or the other which is associated with poor hygiene and living condition in the camps.

The IDPS, mostly elderly people are happy with the efforts of the Air Force which supplements the overstretched resources of the MSF already operating in Gwoza.

The intervention dealt with issues that had to do with eye related problems, deworming of children, general checkup for nursing and pregnant mothers as well as distribution of free mosquito nets.

The Director Humanitarian Services of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Harold Onyechi says the outreach programme is continuous.

Source: Channels TV

13 countries to meet to raise $1.1 billion for IDPs in Northeast

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Staff Reporter

No fewer than 13 countries are seeking $1.1 billion (N330 billion) as humanitarian assistance to 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east sub-region of the country.

The Ambassador of Ireland, Sean Hoy, disclosed this yesterday in Maiduguri, while briefing journalists about the “worsening humanitarian crisis” in the three affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

He said that the 13 ambassadors and representatives of Republic of Korea, Sweden, Netherlands, Japan, Germany, France, U.S, United Kingdom, and Norway among other countries; will attend the Oslo Conference slated for February 24, 2017 to raise the $1.1 billion.

Hoy listed the four humanitarian intervention and assistance to include, protection of IDPs, food, security and education.

Meawhile, the House of Representatives yesterday lamented the absence of a comprehensive data of IDPs spread across various camps in the country.

The House committee on the north east, refugees and internally displaced persons has called on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and the Displaced that such data would be required for effective planning and implementation of resettlement re-integration programmes.

The Sani Zorro-led committee which met with the federal commissioner for refugees and internally displaced persons and migrants , Hajia Sadiya Farouk on her outfit 2017 budget proposal also stressed the need for durable solutions to the problems of the IDPs in the polity.

Zorro urged the commission to partner with state governments and NGOs as well as the Federal Capital Territory Administration to get accurate data on the number of persons displaced across the country and how to resettle or integrate them.

Also, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has trained 400 clerics, youth and women leaders in the north east to help propagate counter-terrorism messages to the youth in the zone.

The CDD Programme Officer, Mr. Ikponmwosa Omoijiade, at a workshop yesterday in Yola said that the training which is sponsored by Japanese government is to de-radicalize extremism in the region.

He said the programme is yielding fruitful, pointing out that the clerics and the youth have now understand the implications of radical extremism by some clerics in the country.

Rebuilding Borno: 192 Families To Get New Homes In Kaga

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Succour has come the way of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kaga Local Government of Borno State, as about 192 families will soon take ownership of the newly reconstructed houses in the area.

The reconstruction project in Kaga is a pilot of the rebuilding project in affected communities within Borno, and the state government has set March 6 as the official date for allocation.

The development is part of the process of rebuilding Nigeria’s Northeast, after some states including Borno suffered unquantifiable loss as the ruthless Boko Haram unleashed terror on the states.

To achieve the humanitarian gesture, the Borno State Government got a seamless collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese Government.

Kaga is the first beneficiary community owing to the return of calm and the absence of security threat to the civilian population in the area.

The project covers the reconstruction of municipal buildings, schools and most importantly homes of the affected population.

Officials say the rebuilding has paved way for villagers to have even better homes than they had before the crisis.

According to the Chairman of Kaga Local Government, Lawan Wasaram, the beneficiaries are elated by the project, as they haven’t had such luxury in a long time.

“They are happy; a villager who has not slept under a concrete building before and now he has sheets and concrete building, of course they are happy.

“Even when the rains come they are no longer worried. Their lives have changed from living in a village to a city,” Mr Wasaram said.

The Regional Coordinator of UNDP, Joerg Kuehnel, also expressed happiness that the international organisation, being one of the development partners of the Rebuilding Borno Project, has been looking forward to the success of the project.

“We are here today (Monday) to supervise one of the programmes we have been implementing with the government of Borno State.

“We have been supporting and working with them for months, to help with the reconstruction efforts and for us, it’s very important that we work through the communities so that it’s really the people that do it themselves.

“Today what’s important for us is to see how the project progresses and I have to say that I am very impressed with what I saw,” the UNDP official said.

The project has not helped only the homeless population, as a large percentage of the building workforce comprises of the IDPs.

One of the IDPs, Bukar Isa, became displaced when his hometown, Bama, was invaded by the Boko Haram militants.

Along with others displaced from other parts of the state, he has decided to make a living from the rebuilding programme.

“My daily pay as a mason is 3,000 naira (while) others get 1,500 naira and above.

“Since I came to Maiduguri, I have never lived in a camp. I rented a house in town and put my family there.

“I pray other idle youths out there would be encouraged to work and fend for themselves,” he said.

A representative of the Borno State government, Mr Babagana Umara, who is in charge of the reconstruction project, said the big plan is to empower the returnees.

Mr Umara believes the project would hopefully reduce the burden of housing and feeding the IDPs after the home allocation ceremonies.

Nigeria Customs hands out seized items to IDPs.

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over seized items, including food and clothes and toiletries, as relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Adamawa state.

Presenting the items at a ceremony Thursday in Yola, the chairman of National Logistics Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, Abdulkadir Azarema, said the donation was the third so far to the state.

“Today, the National Logistics Committee on Distribution of Relief Items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is handing over items that we strongly believe will boost the ongoing efforts to resettle IDPs in their ancestral homes,” Mr. Azarema said.

He lauded the state government for footing the bills for transporting the items from the Service’s warehouses across the country.

“We also commend the efforts of Local Organizing Committee for collaborating with National Committee and the State Government to ensure smooth distribution of the relief materials.”

Mr. Azarema, an Assistant Controller General of Customs, tasked those involved in distributing the assistance to ensure transparency.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of the state, Martins Babale, who is also the chairman of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, lauded the gesture which he said would go a long way in assisting the IDPs.

Mr. Babale assured that the state government would use the materials for the purpose intended.

OPEC, WFP to feed two million victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has approved an emergency assistance grant for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance operations in famine-stricken areas in north-east Nigeria.

A statement released by the organisation said that the grant, which will support the operations of World Food Programme (WFP), will target over two million people in areas affected by the Boko Haram crisis.

“This latest initiative will target over two million people in the worse-affected areas—Borno and Yobe states—including population pockets where humanitarian assistance has not yet reached.

“The ongoing unrest in northeast Nigeria has caused critical levels of food insecurity and malnutrition and as a result, some 4.6 million people are going hungry. An estimated two million people are in urgent need of assistance, and over one-half of children under the age of five are suffering from moderate to acute malnutrition.

“Activities will include providing food, and where markets are functioning, cash-based assistance and distributing specialized nutrient-rich food for children under the age of five.”

The WFP said that it will focus on low-income families, helping them with money to buy nutritious food to prevent any relapse after their children must have been treated for malnutrition.

In August, a survey conducted by Philips Consulting reported that more than 93 million Nigerians were battling food insecurity.

The survey results showed that food was the highest household expenditure by more than half of the respondents.

In October, WFP donated food to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) residing in the Gwoza camp.

Borno IDPs Begin Mass Production Of Household Products.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Gwoza local government area of Borno state, have begun large scale production and packaging of various household products.

The products include solid and liquid soap, detergents, pomade, hand bags courtesy of a loan allocated to them by the Borno Renaissance Micro Finance Bank, set up by Governor Kashim Shettima to promote entrepreneurship in the state.

In 2016, Governor Shettima had after examining their proposal, directed the Micro Finance Bank to release the sum of N5m to a group of 91 male and female citizens displaced from Gwoza LGA, who were living within some camps in Maiduguri.

The group had registered with the state as Gwoza Soap Makers Association, a cooperative desiring to go into mass production of household items.

In fulfillment of their pledge, after days of hard work, representatives of the IDPs marched to the Government House, Maiduguri, with samples of household products produced and packaged by them.

They named all their products, ‘G.Z. Hijira’. The ‘G.Z’ represents Gwoza, their town, while Hijira refers to a ‘temporary relocation’ which in their case, represents their Internal displacement.

The IDPs told Governor Shettima that they want their locally produced items to capture the memory of their displacement and relocation to Maiduguri as a result of attacks on their communities in Gwoza by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.

“For a start, we have used part of the funds and produced 118 cartons of solid laundry soap; 86 cartons of small size pomades, 96 cartons of large size of pomade; 200 jerrycans of large and small packs of liquid soap; 1,972 kitchen sized packs of liquid soap, disinfectants and 127 numbers of women and unisex hand bags.

“We will be going into bigger scale production but we came to show you what we have started doing since you created this opportunity for us by encouraging us and getting us the money” leader of the IDPs, Musa Ali Gwoza, told Shettima.

Impressed by what he saw, the governor ?immediately said that after their products are certified by control agencies, they would become major features in public hospitals, schools and other Government establishments so as to increase their capacity and the economy of the state and to encourage other IDPs and residents to become productive.

“You have just made my day. This is the kind of progress I love to see. You are all internally displaced persons but rather than fold your arms and wait for aide, you chose to be productive using your talents.

“I encouraged you because you deserve it. I don’t know if you have gotten products certificates but I can see you are already packaging. By the grace of God, after agencies like NAFDAC and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), certify your products, we will arrange for a public presentation of your products.

“I will lead the launching and the Borno State Government will make you primary suppliers of soap, detergents and disinfectants in most of our hospitals, schools and other Government establishment including this Government House so that you create jobs for others that will market and sell your products.

“I will take some of your products like these detergents and test for sanitation purpose in my office. We will try to get you some machinery that will make you produce faster and in higher numbers. I believe you are using crude methods now.

“You deserve encouragement. I want to mainly make you serve as role models to other citizens whether displaced or not,” Shettima said.

IDPs Seek Permanent Settlement In Yobe State.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Over 10, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are non-Yobe indigenes currently taking refuge at the Kukareta town outskirts of Damaturu the Yobe state capital, have opted to permanently reside in the state.

Speaking through the village head of Kukareta of Damaturu Local Government Area Lawan Babagana, the IDPs are of the opinion that the Boko Haram insurgents are still operating in some communities within their ancestral homes hence, they have opted to stay in Yobe state permanently.

Kukareta town has for the past four years witnessed unprecedented visitors displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Over 18, 000 households have within the period been hosted by the Kukareta community and the Yobe state government.

However, with the relative peace being enjoyed in most of the north east states bedeviled by the Boko Haram insurgents, the population of IDPs in the community is said to have reduced from over 18,000 to about 10,261 households.

Babagana told Channels Television that the IDPs have continued to receive news of pockets of attack within their ancestral homes, hence there is no need to return as their safety is not guaranteed.

He said the facilities initially provided by the state government, Non-Governmental Organisations among other philanthropists such as; schools, healthcare facilities and water supply, are still functional hence their stay in the community will not in any way over-stretch the existing facilities.

He also stated that he had taken the matter to the Yobe state government through the Damaturu Local Government as well as the Damaturu Emirate Council as the Ministry of Lands and Survey has been assigned to take stock of the land requirements for their settlement.

Secretary to the Yobe state Government, Baba Malam-Wali also addressing the issue, said the government has been adequately briefed on the desire and requirements of the IDPs and according to him, efforts are being made to hasten their settlements.

Femi Kuti visits IDPs in Maiduguri, urges artistes to extend help victims.

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Renowned Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti, has urged celebrities and their fans to work with the government to help millions of people struggling to survive in Boko Haram-hit northeast Nigeria.

The Lagos-based Afrobeat star said he wanted to raise awareness among young Nigerians and encourage them to demand a greater humanitarian response, having visited Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Monday. “People need to have a sense of the reality in the northeast – from people walking around hungry to mothers with malnourished children,” Kuti said, during his visit.

“I hope more celebrities will visit and engage with their fans,” Kuti told the Thomson Reuters Foundation after accompanying the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on visits to local communities hosting the displaced and a health clinic.

Yet the jihadist group has stepped up attacks and suicide bombings in the past few weeks as the end of the rainy season facilitates movements in the bush.

While calling on more support and aid for people in the northeast, Kuti said he was struck by the generosity of local communities towards those uprooted by the insurgency. “It is heartening to see so many displaced people welcomed into the homes of local families … and community elders offering to give up land to displaced for farming,” Kuti said.

In Maiduguri, which has seen its population almost triple to five million in recent years, there are signs a sense of normality is gradually returning to the city.

The curfew has been pushed back to 10p.m. from 6p.m. and clubs are packed and pulsating as DJs play the tunes of artists like Kuti and his late father Fela, the 1970s Afrobeat pioneer.

Boko Haram: UN fires back at Borno governor over allegations on misuse of funds

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Edward Kallon, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, has refuted Borno Gov. Kashim Shettima’s allegations of under-performance and misuse of funds against UN agencies in the North-East.

Mr. Kallon said during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of Victims Support Fund (VSF), Sunday Ochoche, on Wednesday in Abuja, that UN agencies had scaled up their presence and assistance in the area.

According to him, UN agencies have currently reached over 2 million people with humanitarian assistance as against barely 100,000 people as at October 2016.

“The challenges are enormous but there has been a lot of progress on humanitarian response since October 2016 when I assumed duty as the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP resident Representative to Nigeria.

“Before I came, the international community was barely reaching 100,000; however, in December, humanitarian assistance was reaching over 1 million families,” he said.

“Presently, humanitarian assistance is reaching about two million people in the North-East; there has been a huge progress so far.

“The UN system is an accountable system and if we receive a request from the Governor of Borno on what we are bringing in and what is being spent we would give that information.

“Such information is not hidden.’’

Mr. Shettima had on Tuesday attacked UN organisations and over 100 nongovernmental in the north-east, accusing them of misusing funds meant for people displaced by Boko Haram crisis.

He singled out UNICEF for rebuke, but also praised eight organisations for their efforts.

On allegations of misuse of funds, the UNDP representative described it as unfair as the operations in the North-East were being executed at a cost which must be met.

He explained that respective UN agencies had the moral obligation of ensuring the security and safety of its staff in the country.

The UNDP Chief therefore advised the Federal Government and relevant authorities at all levels no to politicise the role and response of the UN and international communities in the North-East.

Mr. Kallon advised government agencies to ensure the accountability of government funds being contributed to the efforts in the North-East.

According to him, his principal goal is to ensure coordination among stakeholders in the field through effective synergy.

He applauded VSF for its role in the reconstruction efforts in the North-East towards rebuilding public and personal structures as well as rebuilding lives and livelihoods.

Mr. Kallon said the UN had launched a humanitarian response plan, where it is requesting a million dollars to provide humanitarian assistance to over 5.6 million people affected by the conflict in North-East.

Responding, Mr. Ochoche thanked the UNDP chief for his efforts so far since he assumed duty.

He said the challenges in the North-East were beyond one agency or government to manage, adding that partnership and collaboration were inevitable moving forward.

Mr. Ochoche said the fund was focusing on addressing the crises around health, social services, education and economic empowerment of women.

According to him, VSF has been supporting the safe return of IDPs and rehabilitating those trapped in Boko Haram enclaves back to their communities.

Mr. Ochehe urged Kallon to collaborate with the state government as Shettima’s allegations could be due to a mild miscommunication.

UN Pledges More Humanitarian Support In Northeast Nigeria.

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The United Nations has pledged to beef up humanitarian support to the government of Nigeria to restore normalcy and security to the North East.

The Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. Janthomas Hiemstra, revealed his mission to journalists shortly after a courtesy call on the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Army in Maiduguri, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

Hiemstra said: “The UNDP is going to put more presence in this area because we believe that the situation for Nigerian people have evolved to outside of the humanitarian situation.

“The military have done their work. The humanitarian are still looking at where are the people that are really suffering and have no food but the development programmes to come in also and say it’s not about food it’s about jobs, business.

“It is about agriculture, it is about people rebuilding houses, rebuilding secretariat buildings, clinics and schools, so this is the next phase that would have to happen together with humanitarian work.

“The UNDP is a specialised agencies that would work with other agencies towards recovery and development in the Northeast.

“We have reassured the General Officer Commanding that we will be beefing up our office and our activities and he appears to be pleased with that,” Hiesmstra stated.

Senate says SGF used personal companies to siphon funds meant for IDPs

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Senate on Wednesday indicted the Secretary to the Government to the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal over alleged fraud involving funds meant to cater for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-east.

Senate decision followed the adoption of a report of its adhoc committee on North-East Humanitarian Crisis presented by Sen. Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna), Chairman of the adhoc committee.

The report which was unanimously adopted by Senators with some slight amendments, recommended that the SGF be suspended and prosecuted by relevant anti-corruption agencies for violating the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to the award of contracts.

Senator Sani in his report said the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) took undue advantage of the provision of emergency situation contract award in the PUblic Procurement Act, 2007 to over inflate contracts.

He said: “Contracts were awarded to companies belonging to top government officials’ cronies, family members and close associates. For example, Rholavision Engineering Limited incorporated in 1990 with RC No. 159855 at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja to carry out information and communication technology services, anchored by David Babachir Lawal, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation was awarded consultancy contract for the removal of the invasive plant species in Yobe state on 8th March, 2016.

“Although, Lawal resigned the directorship of the said company in September, 2016, it is on record that he is still the signatory to accounts of the company. About 95 to 100 per cent payments of all contracts awarded by PINE have been paid even as some contracts are yet to be fully executed, e.g, payment of One Hundred and Eight Million naira (N108 million) only for the supply of 1100 units of temporary tarpaulin carbines at Three Hundred and Two Thousand naira (N302,000:00) per unit made to Dantex Nigeria Limited despite the fact that 125 units valued at N37.7m were yet to be supplied.”

Confirming the alarming humanitarian crisis in the area, Senator Sani said: “lt is absolutely true, that there is serious humanitarian crisis in the North-East as evidenced by the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) both in camps and within the host communities.

“There is hunger, disease, squalor, deprivation and want amongst the lDPs. This observation is corroborated by a statement accredited to the United Nations’ Deputy Coordinator of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Mr. Peter Lundberg to the effect that ”a projected 5.1 million people will face serious food shortages as the (Boko Haram) conflict and risk of unexploded improvised devices prevented farmers from planting for the third year in a row, causing a major food crisis in the North East”.”

Speaking on the non-availability of Federal Government’s health workers in almost all the camps visited, Sani said: “There was vivid absence of the Federal Ministry of Health in all camps visited, however, while the few critical government agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as States Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were noticed, but without synergy with other agencies. However, the Nigerian Air force medical , team was found rendering medical services to the lDPs with the little equipment at their disposal.”

He continued: “Despite the claim by some Federal government agencies to the effect that huge sum of money is being spent on lDPs in the North East, what is on the ground as seen by the Committee does not justify/reflect the claims. For example:

“Over 70 per cent of displaced children both in camps and with host communities were out of schools due to lack of classroom infrastructure, inadequate teaching materials and even teachers. They were also seen loitering in the camps mal-nourished, sickly, and poorly dressed.

“Generally, there is acute shortage of food amongst the lDPs, as observed in one of the lDPs visited, three(3) bags of rice of 50kg each, a bag of beans of 50kg and a 4 liter of palm oil were given to 30 people for 15 days. These were considered too insufficient as confirmed by many lDPs that interacted with the Committee.”

In their contributions, senators lampooned the SGF and backed the position of the interim report which called for the suspension and prosecution of Mr. Lawal.

Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi) while making his contribution said: “The SGF rushed to the Corporate Affairs Commission in September only when the Senate started investigating him. He awarded a contract to his own company where he is a signatory. The SGF has exhibited anti-Buhari tendencies.

“This is a gross abuse of office. I call for the immediate resignation of SGF and after that, he should be prosecuted by the Federal Government. It is time to call a spade a spade. It is time for the Senate President to act.”

Melaye got dramatic when he said “yesterday I felt like crying but today I actually need to cry,” and was promptly handed a white handkerchief by a colleague which he used to dab his face.

Incidentally, at same time the presiding officer, Bukola Saraki also raised a handkerchief to his face as if to also wipe a tear.

Senator Adeola Solomon (APC, Lagos) on his part, said: “While the SGF was giving his testimony to the committee, what he was saying was not in tandem with the documents we had. This is just the interim report. What we have now is just the phase value. The companies were only created for the award of these contracts.

“We are asking him to resign and also calling for his immediate prosecution. When you go to the IDP camps, there is nothing there to write home about.”

Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) however sounded a note of caution: “I am a bit worried. This is an interim report. If we have a report that is interim, what decision can we take? Why can’t we wait till the full report is ready.”

But he was ignored by Senators and Saraki quickly intervened, saying “when we get there, we will look at the issue and do the right thing.”

In his final remark, Saraki added: “Let me thank the committee for being able to do a report and for coming out with this daring infractions that are commendable. I hope the relevant agencies will take note of the recommendations.

“The message from the Senate is that business cannot continue as usual. Those that have contravened the relevant acts must be prosecuted. This government that is seen to be fighting corruption must not cover up this fraud. We must do something about it.”

Famine may have killed 2,000 people cut off from aid by Boko Haram – Analysts

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Over 2,000 people may have died of famine this year in parts of northeast Nigeria which cannot be reached by aid agencies due to an insurgency by Islamic militant group Boko Haram, hunger experts said on Tuesday.

A report by the U.S.-based Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said the deaths occurred in the town of Bama in Nigeria’s Borno State, the jihadists’ former stronghold.

According to FEWS NET, while food aid is staving off famine for people uprooted by conflict who can be reached, the outlook is bleak for those in parts of the northeast cut off from help.

“The risk of famine in inaccessible areas of Borno State will remain high over the coming year.

“In a worst-case scenario where conflict cuts off areas that are currently accessible and dependent on assistance, the likelihood of famine in these areas would be high,’’ the report said.

About 4.7 million people are in need of emergency food aid in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, nearly two-thirds of them in Borno alone.

The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) said in September that some 400,000 children were at risk from famine in the three states, 75,000 of whom could die from hunger within months.

“Yet the current humanitarian response is insufficient amid extreme levels of food insecurity, and only one million people have received food aid this year,’’ FEWS NET said.

It noted that almost four in five of the 1.4 million displaced Nigerians in Borno State were living in local communities, where tension was rising in many families as food runs short.

It added that improving security had enabled aid agencies this year to reach some areas that were previously cut off, but many remained unreachable due to the ongoing violence and lack of security.

Boko Haram militants have killed about 20,000 people and displaced 2.4 million across Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria during a seven-year campaign to create an Islamist caliphate.

Nigeria’s army has pushed the Islamist group back to its base in Sambisa forest in the past few months, but the militants still often stage raids and suicide bombings.

Borno IDPs get ECOWAS $1.4m gift

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Economic Community of West African States has made a donation of $1.4m to the internally displaced persons in Borno State.

Also, the National Emergency Management Agency has given out building materials for the construction of houses destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the troubled state.

The West African regional economic body handed over the donation in two separate cheques of $1m and $0.4m to the Borno State Government with instructions that the funds should be used to procure relief materials for the IDPs.

Presenting the cheques on Sunday to the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the ECOWAS President, H.E. Marcel de Souza, said they were in Borno to share the feelings and concerns of the IDPs and refugees in Nigeria and pledged to do everything possible to support them.

The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Sani Sidi, who brought the ECOWAS boss to the Borno State Governor, also handed over foods and building materials, including 2600 bundles of roofing sheet, 2500 pieces of ceiling boards, 350 bags of 3 inches nails and 350 packets of zinc nails to assist the government in the ongoing effort of reconstructing houses in Bama, Hawul and Gamboru-Ngala communities destroyed by insurgency.

The other things presented by NEMA were 3,600 bags of rice, 1,400 bags of beans and 1,000 bags of millet.

Receiving the items, the Borno State Governor appreciated NEMA for the continued support to the IDPs and ECOWAS for the donations and assured them that the items would get to the beneficiaries.

Troops ‘rescue’ 801 from #BokoHaram victims in 2 weeks

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Nigeria army says it has rescued 801 people held hostage by the Boko Haram over the past two weeks.

Lucky Irabor, theatre commander, Operation Lafiya Dole,made the announcement on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Maiduguri on the counter-terrorism operations in the northeast.

He said that the persons were rescued between November 23 and date.

“A total of 801 persons were rescued from the terrorists’ camps from November 23 to date,” he said.

Irabor said that the military had also arrested a number of terrorists fleeing their Sambisa forest hideout due to the ongoing operation.

“Likewise, on December 4 at about 1345hrs, our troops in conjunction with local vigilante intercepted five men, 29 women and children heading towards Goniri from Kafa,” he said.

“The men were screened by the local vigilante and two of them were confirmed to be terrorists. They have since been taken into custody and are undergoing interrogation.

“The military also apprehended suspected cattle rustlers during its operations. On November 28, four persons and a teenager were arrested by our troops deployed at Bulabulim Ngarnam with 4 cows. The arrested persons have been handed over to the Nigeria Police.”

Irabor said that the military also recovered arms from suspected kidnappers in Bauchi state.

“On December 2, our troops while on patrol at the general area of Gamji and Kafin Lemu villages in Ningi LGA of Bauchi state encountered some suspected kidnappers who engaged them in gun battle,” he said.

He added that they were killed in the gun battle that ensued and the troops recovered several arms and ammunition, including five Dane guns, a locally made pistol, some cartridges and charms.

Contractor, not NEMA culpable in diversion of food meant for IDPs – Senator

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, on Tuesday cleared the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, of complicity in the alleged diversion of relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the north-east.

Mr. Ndume told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Yola that the Senate could not find any evidence of diversion against the NEMA officials.

“No NEMA members of staff will be involved in diversion or stealing of any relief items meant for the IDPs,” Mr. Ndume said.

He said that the allegation of diversion of relief materials meant for the IDPs in Borno and Yobe was raised by him, adding that the contractor involved was the suspect.

The senate leader said that the contractor had been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for interrogation.

“I personally raised the allegation of the said diversion of the relief materials meant for our people (IDPs) living in various camps across the north-east region.

“What actually happened is that grains were ordered from strategic national grains reserves.

“It was awarded to a contractor to transport, but along the line, some got missing. The contractor is now before the EFCC,” he said.

Mr. Ndume, who visited some IDPs camps in Yola, said that strong commitment of the government was to shut the camps and return the IDPs back home.

He explained that all the IDPs camps visited were ready to be shut down as all people in various camps had shown enthusiasm to return to their homes.

Also, during the visit, Governor Muhammadu Jibrillah of Adamawa said he would join hands with the Borno and Yobe governments to evacuate the remaining IDPs back home.

Mr. Jibrillah said now that relative peace had returned to most areas, his government would support any move to evacuate the IDPs back home.

He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his concerted efforts in reconstructing those areas destroyed by the insurgents.

18 finalists emerge in federal essay competition for north-east children

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

After rigorous essay writing sessions and validation of submitted entries, 18 finalists have emerged winners of the Essay Writing Competition in the recently announced Federal Government’s education advocacy programme for displaced children in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The Grand Finale holds Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State, where the finalists will present their education advocacy videos at an event to be attended by dignitaries and functionaries from across the three states.

The Protecting Education Advocacy Challenge to reorient children affected by insurgency in the three Northeast states was announced November 20 and kicked off soon after garnering 3,079 of such children showing keen interest in the competition by turning in their entries.

“The enthusiasm and active participation of these children in the Essay Competition is indicative of their willingness to be the voices raised so that education is protected for them,” according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Mariam Masha.

The 18 finalists – six from each state – were the lucky winners out of 3,079 entries received from the three states, with Borno having 1,337, closely followed by Adamawa with 1,230 while Yobe had 512 entries.

The winners from Borno are Aisha Musty and Bukar Abdulrahman in the 8-11 years category; Abubakar Musa and Zulai Mikaila in the 12-14 Years Category and Hauwa Bulus and Kaka Emmnauel in the 15-18 years category.

From Adamawa State, the winners are Emmanuel Andrawus and Faith Mathew in the 8-11 Years Category; Midenda Napatali and Abba Gana-Bundi in the 12-14 years while in the 15- 18 years category are Grace Markus and Ali Bulama.

Modu Aisami and Adamu Ibrahim emerged in the 8-11 years category in Yobe State. Other winners in the state are Fatima Lawan Jinbam and Mustapha Abdullahi in the 12- 14 years Category and Sadiq Abubakar and Abubakar Adam were winners in the 15-18 years category.

In Borno, 10 IDP Camps participated including Dalori 1 and 2, Bakassi A & B, Teachers Training College, EYN, Farm Centre, Gubio, NYSC, and Bokolis, all spread across the state.

In Damaturu, the Pompomari IDPs Camp, host communities and schools such as Government Secondary School in Gulani,Goniri,Bularafa and Government Day Secondary School in Buni-Yadi, Bukar Ali,Bindigari and Nayi-nawa submitted entries while their counterparts in NYSC , Makoyi and Fufore IDP Camps in Adamawa State also participated in the Essay writing competition.

The programme is an integral component of counter- radicalization project of the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Disaster Risk Reduction project of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is coordinated in the Presidency by the Office of the Vice President.

With the essay writing over, the expected 18 winners are to develop an advocacy campaign video which will be presented by the children themselves before a live audience at the finals in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital on December 8th.

Also, as parts of the advocacy, series of drama presentations, community events and focused mentorship are being staged in the camps, to provide an uncommon window to take the counter-terrorism fight from the battlefield right into the minds of these children.

Other partners and supporters of the programme include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Medview Airline, Softcom, Venture Garden Group, Academy Press and UACN Property Development Company – UPDC.

IDPs To Feature In Reality Show

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A movie production company has concluded plans to feature Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in its forthcoming Television Reality Show.

The Executive Producer, Mr Emmanuel Eyaba, who visited some IDPs camps in Abuja on Wednesday for auditions, said that the aim was to give them a new identity.

The audition was done in collaboration with the African Union (AU).

The talent programme tagged; “Unleash Your Creativity’’ also known as “UUC Nigeria’’, is aimed at creating a platform for young adults interested in the movie industry to showcase their abilities.

The zonal auditions which successfully held in Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Lagos.

Eyaba said that he decided to include the youth among the IDPs in the programme to give them a sense of belonging.

“I see the term ‘IDPs’ to be stigmatising and I do not like how that comes about.

“We all are victims of circumstances in various ways, but we are all given different opportunities to succeed so they need this to reprogramme their thinking and approach to life.

“Instead of distributing items, rice and foodstuff, I think it is better for us to develop their skills and develop their passion in acting,’’ he said.

According to him, we decided to include them in this talent hunt so that they can develop their skills in script writing, acting, singing, directing, producing or makeup.

IDPs to feature in reality show

Nigerians living in communities liberated from Boko Haram are suffering terribly, UN warns

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The United Nations on Tuesday confirmed that at least 16 local governments initially occupied by the Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria have been liberated by Nigerian forces.

The immediate past UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Safieldin, said he made on-the-spot assessment of some of the liberated local governments including Bama, Damboa, Monguno, Konduga, Dikwa, Gwoza, Pulka, and Banki .

Speaking to the New York correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, the official lamented the level of destruction on the communities by Boko Haram, saying there is real humanitarian crisis in the liberated areas.

“You can’t imagine the level of physical destruction of all the basic facilities such as hospitals, water supply system, the schools and the homes of the individual poor people.

“So it is a real humanitarian crisis in terms of the number. It is a real humanitarian crisis in terms of availability of humanitarian aid at the moment,” he said.

Mr. Safieldin’s comment confirms various statements by Nigerian officials that most of the territory initially occupied by the terror group have been reclaimed.

Despite the successes of the soldiers, however, attacks on soldiers and civilians still continue leading to hundreds of deaths.

On Tuesday, Mr. Safieldin also said that no fewer than 30,000 metric tonnes of food is required monthly to feed the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

He lamented that the monthly requirement was currently not being met.

“The available humanitarian aid at the moment is inadequate. Whether it is the aid coming from the government or aid coming from the international community; it is inadequate.

“Many people either don’t have any food or they have less than what is sufficient for one meal a day; we are talking of at least 1.8 million displaced people.

“To feed these people, you need an estimated 30,000 metric tonnes of food every month and this amount of food is not available from the government and it is not available from the international community.”

According to him, the liberation of more communities previously under the control of Boko Haram by the Nigerian military has meant more mouths to feed.

According to him, at least 800,000 people currently need urgent humanitarian assistance.

“Since March, the Federal Government and Nigerian Army have gained full control of at least 16 LGAs in the north-east; many cities and villages have become accessible.

“Many civilians have been relocated by the army from remote villages in which they (were) living under Boko Haram to the capital of the LGAs and 16 satellite camps have been established.

“There is a minimum of 300,000 civilians living in these satellite camps in addition to an estimated 500,000 people who are living in these liberated areas outside the satellite camps.

“So all together, we are talking of about 800,000 people at least, who are accessible, who need humanitarian assistance urgently because I have visited many of these places.”

He said IDPs living in formal camps in Maiduguri represented only 10 per cent of the population adding, 90 per cent of them live in host communities.

“The 90 per cent of the IDPs live in the host communities in Maiduguri and other urban and rural areas and they have been suffering, they don’t have enough food, medical care and shelter.

“The major problem at the moment, the 800,000 people who are in the very remote LGAs recovered by the army from Boko Haram, are the people that are suffering continuously for a long time.

“The humanitarian aid that is reaching them is insufficient and yet their voices are not heard and I would love to see the media from Nigeria reaching out to these people to see their suffering.

“So the good news of the victory of the army to recover these areas has meant an additional challenge on the humanitarian community to be able to provide more aid.

“However, at the moment, the humanitarian aid that is available is insufficient,” he said.

Lawmakers Blame Poor Policy, Coordination for IDPs Crisis.

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Chairman, House Committee on IDPs Refugees and Initiatives on the Northeast, Rep Sani Zorro, said this while speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

Zorro said that proper coordination has been discovered to be missing in the operations and management of the IDP camps which has opened doors for an all-comers affairs in the sector.

This, he said, has resulted to negative activities which has placed the country in bad perception globally.

According to Zoro “if policies were to be available, that policy would have clearly spelled out the roles, responsibilities and obligations of state institutions, nongovernmental organisations and so on.

“That will make it easier for everybody to operate within the space available; but now it is free for all, there is no coordination, and there is no communication among all the actors in the humanitarian Sector.”

He believes “there is also no effective collaboration among agencies of government and that is why you hear about abuses in the camp, you hear about corruption like diversion of food items meant for IDPs”.

“We have investigated and visited camps to ascertain the extent of this unfortunate situation.

“The recent report by Human Rights Watch which says there are cases of rape, unwanted pregnancies and general abuses of displaced persons, especially women, now I have read the report very carefully and I endorsed it but there are some explanations that need to be tendered, which probably the Human Rights Watch didn’t consider.?

“Peculiarities in terms of culture and tradition need to be taken into account. What can constitute an abuse in one country may not be considered so in some other environment because of the tradition,” he said.

He, however, affirmed that steps would be taken on revising the security and operational setups across the IDP camps.

“They have taken their time to investigate. We have not only recognised the content of the report, we are working hard to address them,?” he said.

FG hands over 79 trucks of grains to Borno for IDPs.

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday received a federal government delegation led by the Minister of state for Works, Power and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who is in the state to handover grains to the state government for onward distribution to IDPs and also inspect road construction projects in the state and beyond.

Speaking on his mission to the state, Shehuri recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to release 300 trucks of grains for the people and that Borno was allocated 113 trucks around April this year and a committee was set up, chaired by him, to deliver the grains.

“But on coming here about 2 months back, we discovered that about 60 trucks were diverted by the contractor who was to convey these trucks to Borno State. We reported that, and I think the case is now before the EFCC as it is under investigation. I also learnt that 23 trucks have so far been recovered and I think there are also some funds recovered which are in the hands of the EFCC,” the minister stated.

The minister further stated that the delegation will also inspect some federal roads during the visit.

Gov. Shettima had while receiving the delegation commended the efforts of the federal government in the state and called for inclusion of some roads in the state in the 2017 budget.

“We are going to hand over the grains to Borno Flour Mills to fortify it with vitamin A and add value to it, so that it can be edible and for us to distribute it to our people because distributing it raw is not the ideal thing to do now due to the fact that our people are poor and so many of them cannot process it.

“We are also negotiating with Kebbi State government to procure 200 trucks of rice for distribution to our people,” Shettima added.

On the roads, the governor said, “it is gratifying to note that under the current dispensation, some roads that have been abandoned for ages are going to receive the much desired attention. Especially, vitally important link roads like the Biu-Gombe road, the Maiduguri-Gamboru which is an international road through which goods reach as far as Central African Republic.

“Intervention along that road in next year’s budget is timely, politically expedient and would bring about a real change in the lives of our people and economic activities of this sub-region. I also call on the Minster to extend it to Bama-Gwoza road because it was in terrible shape when last I went to Gwoza. Maiduguri-Monguno-Kukawa road and the Damasak-Gashigar-Malum Fatori roads should also be capture in the 2017 budget.

“I believe Nigeria goes beyond Lagos-Ibadan expressway: there are other parts of this country that acutely needs development, that deserve to be developed as well because politics is a game of numbers, it is a game of loyalty and any constituency that appreciates and identifies with the government, that constituency needs to be taken into cognisance as government spreads developmental initiative across the length and breadth of this country.”

President Buhari Calls for Action on Human Rights Watch’s Reports on IDP Abuse

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari is worried and shocked by the recently released Human Rights Watch (HRW) report which alleges sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls in camps for those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his government. Nigerians and the international community can rest assured that the allegations raised in the HRW are not being taken lightly.

President Buhari has instructed the Inspector General of Police and the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue. Their findings will determine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response.

While the Nigerian military continues to work hard so that these unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism can soon return safely to their homes, the government will do its best to ensure their protection and welfare in the temporary IDP camps

Fashion for Charity, Spanish “LaLiga” Unite for IDPs with #KickForHope2016

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Who Fashion For Charity Is…

Fashion for Charity harnesses the power of fashion, entertainment, and the visual arts to help vulnerable people. From Abuja to Milan to Atlanta, various industry players in fash- ion design, fashion photography, fashion media, modeling and more, have come together to become a force for good in Nigeria and beyond. This year, Fashion for Charity has been focusing on the plight of internally displaced persons from north-eastern Nige- ria. Fashion for Charity has been organizing a series of fundraising and resource gathering events and drives to alleviate the conditions of these IDPs in their camps and settlements. These events have spanned two continents and include;

The Charity Drive (in Partnership with Fashion Designers Association Of Nigeria)
The Drop-Off Concert With Skales
The Charity Drive 2
The Milan Fashion Revolution (in Partnership with Cecilia Rinaldi (Milan) and Deshabille Magazine (Berlin & Milan))

The Walk-Run-Fly Education Program (Phase 1) (in Partnership with Venezuela and Afro Amiga)

The Kick For Hope Charity Fair and Celebrity Football Match (In Partnership with LaLiga)

On the 22nd of October, 2016, we are having a charity fair and celebrity football match in partnership with Spanish league “LaLiga” that will be played between HOPE FC (made up of players from the expatriate community including; Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Finland and many more) and VIP United (made up of Abuja-based celebrities including BigMo, Omojuwa, Expensive, Jasper, Dike Chukwumerije, White Nigerian etc).

The Kick For Hope Celebrity Football Match is pulling in the Who’s Who of Abuja to come together for the plight of the internally displaced children who are in dire need of assistance. The aim of the event is to assist the children between 2-12 years old within the BAMA/GWOZA camp, Durumi in phase 2 of The Walk Run Fly education Program.

The event will also have a Halftime Charity Auction to auction off 4 never before seen, world-class photo artworks from international award winning photographers collective, Nimages. All proceeds from the auction will go to the cause.

The venue is the El-Amin International School. The Charity Fair starts at 10am and will feature food, drinks, arts & crafts, bubble football (aka Zorb) and video games. The Celebrity football match kicks off at 5pm sharp.
Tickets are 1000 naira. Kids below 12 years old come in for free.

PREVIOUS EVENTS

screen-shot-2016-10-18-at-2-42-33-pm

THE CHARITY DRIVE

THE DROP OFF CONCERT WITH NIGERIAN SUPERSTAR, SKALES

THE CHARITY DRIVE 2

screen-shot-2016-10-18-at-2-42-19-pm

THE MILAN FASHION REVOLUTION

THE WALK RUN FLY EDUCATION PROGRAM (PHASE 1)

screen-shot-2016-10-18-at-2-42-08-pm

PARTNERS

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FG delivers 5,136 bags of rice to IDPs in Yobe.

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Government has made available 5,136 bags of rice and some other items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe State.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Khadija Abba, delivered the items to the state government.

She applauded the resilience of the state government for the unique partnership with security agencies towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.

The Minister specifically described as “worthy of emulation”, the commitment of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s administration to supporting the war against insurgency.

She similarly commended the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Aliyu, who is the Chairman of the Resettlement Committee of IDPs in the state, for implementing all the resettlement policies of the government.

Mr Aliyu, who received the items on Monday on behalf of Governor Gaidam, extolled the Federal Government for remembering the insurgency victims.

According to him, the gesture “will go a long way in addressing food scarcity among the returnees who have not been engaged in any gainful ventures for several years”.

The Deputy Governor also described the action of the Federal Government as “very compassionate that should be emulated by non-governmental organisations and other spirited individuals.

The items received will be shared to some returning communities in Gujba, Damaturu, Gulani, Yunusari, Nguru, Geidam and Karasuwa,” local government areas of Yobe State.

Apart from the bags of rice, other items supplied include: vegetable oil, soap, cloths, foot wears and mosquito coils among several others.

Senators To Contribute N300,000 Each For IDPs

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria’s Senators today agreed on a N300,000 contribution each to alleviate the plight of Internally Displaced Persons in all camps in the country.

The senators agreed to make the donations after deliberating on the Mounting Humanitarian crisis in the North East.

SP @bukolasaraki puts the question and lawmakers of @NGRSenate resolve to contribute 300,000 Naira each to ease the plight of IDPs.

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 4, 2016

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/senators-contribute-n300000-idps/

Scandal Rocks IDP Camp as Female IDPs Offer Camp Officials Sex For Food

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Given the living condition of Internally Displaced Person’s (IDPS’s) in the North East, there is an indication that about 66 percent of camp officials, 28 percent from host communities and 6 percent of elders are sexually molesting the vulnerable ones, a situational

Assessment survey on IDP’s in North-East conducted by NOI Polls has revealed.

NOIPolls, incorporated in 2007 has been in the forefront of championing public opinion research in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region in technical partnership with Gallup (USA).

Among startling revelations from the report is that some of the female IDPs voluntarily offer camp officials sex for food and for freedom of movement within and outside the camps just as others offer themselves for basic female sanitary requirements.

The major aim of the survey was to highlight the controversies surrounding the general welfare of IDP’s in the North-East. It was conducted between July 4th to July 29th, 2016 where a total of 400 contacts attempted the questions.

A breakdown of the report indicated that 190 respondents were drawn from Borno, 128 in Adamawa and 82 in Yobe states.

The respondents were aged between 18 years and above while the face-to-face survey technique enabled NOIPolls to capture the reality of the IDPs.

According to the findings, “Though the provision of firewood is the responsibility of local government areas and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) as stipulated in the Memorandum of

Understanding signed between federal government and state government, thousands of IDP’s including lactating mothers, children and elderly starve due to the absence of firewood.

The survey however revealed increase in social vices at the camps like drug abuse, consumption of illicit drugs, prostitution and petty crime as a result of the general poor welfare and deplorable living conditions of the IDPs.

“There are also rising cases of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDs while some IDP’s had fallen prey to unscrupulous members of host communities who take advantage of their plight to force them into early marriages and even kidnap them for child labour”, the report added.

The report highlighted that 85 percent of IDPs in Adamawa and 84 percent in Yobe are facing incidences of discrimination compared to 76 percent in Borno which was linked to ethnic problems that had existed between the northern and southern Borno natives.

Presenting the survey, the Chief Executive Officer of NOIPolls, Dr Bell Ihua confirmed that only 10 to 20 percent of IDP’s lived in camps while 80 to 90 percent lived in host communities stressing that petty crimes and drug abuse were also on the increase at the camps.

Ihua regretted the rising cases of mortality, which he said that 88 percent IDP’s died on daily basis as was witnessed during the survey adding that there was a cholera outbreak in the camps.

He requested for unannounced presidential visit by Muhammadu Buhari to Maiduguri as a way of boosting the morals of security agencies fighting insurgency in the area even as he advocated for increased funding for the IDP’s.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Civil Society Organisation Network, Borno state, Amb Ahmed Shehu expressed worry over the increasing cases of prostitution at the camps which may result to HIV/ AIDS and other infectious diseases.

“In camps and host communities, women need cash-based assistance to establish livelihoods such as tailoring, processing and selling flour or groundnut oil, milk and among others”, he said.

On his part, the Director of Forefront Media, Mr Mohammed Alfa who is a native of Gwoza called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to visit Borno state and access the financial impropriety of Borno government towards the starving IDP’s

NEMA returns 5,403 citizens to their homes from IDPs camps

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the return of 5403 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) to the home after their stay in Camps.

The returnees include 1517 in Mafa , 750 in konduga, 1200 in Ngamboru and about 1,936 are due to return to Dikwa

This is coming at a period Governor of Borno State Alh kashim shettima and a team of NEMA North East zonal staff led by Zonal coordinator Alh Muhammed Kanar spent the night in Bama in order to fast track the reconstruction of homes and other structures to facilitate the return of residents displaced by insurgency.

The team delivered food items on behalf of the DG NEMA Alh Muhammed Sani Sidi.

The Zonal Coordinator also promised to provide building materials in line with the needs assessment conducted by NEMA and Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA).

Displaced persons are humans too – Adamawa Gov. Bindow

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Adamawa State Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure that the 9,600 people still living in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps operated by the state are quickly resettled in their hometowns.

Bindo, who made the call during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, said left to his administration, all the IDP camps would be closed.

He said his demand was informed by the fact he was not happy with the situation in the camps since the occupants were no less human than other people elsewhere.

According to him, his administration is very much predisposed to closing down the camps but has been unable to do so because the infrastructure destroyed by the insurgents in most of the communities have yet to be rebuilt.

He said, “We are here to appreciate our people and to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir with them because they are people like us.

“They are not less than anyone of us here. Don’t be surprised that one of the children given birth to in this camp can become the President of this country one day. Any of them could become a governor or a senator. Thus, we should not consider ourselves as better than them.

“Since this administration is for the poor, it has said it will repair their damaged homes, fix their destroyed hospitals, schools, worship places and other destroyed infrastructure. I want to assure you that the government is committed to doing this.”

He called on President Buhari to quickly intervene and fix every destroyed infrastructure in the North-East as promised to pave the way for the return of the IDPs to their various homes.

“I am appealing to the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue.

“Left to me, I want the camps closed. But there’s no way we can close the camps when the homes they will return to have yet to be rebuilt.

“Their places of worship, both churches and mosques, have yet to be rebuilt. The hospitals are not there and there is no access to clean water. Therefore, we are urgently calling on the Federal Government and especially Mr. President to quickly fix every destroyed infrastructure in the North-East to pave the way for the quick resettlement of those displaced by the insurgency because their continuous stay here is not good.”

Haruna Furo, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, said it was unique of the governor to have celebrated with the over 9,000 IDPs in the state on Sallah day.

BCO Gives FG 7-day Ultimatum Over IDPs

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of TheChangeOrganisation otherwise known as the Buharian Cultural Organisation (BCO) has given the federal government a week’s ultimatum to address the myriads of challenges bedevilling IDPs in Nigeria or face mass action.

The group which made its position known yesterday in Abuja noted that the teeming Nigerian IDPs are in double whammy due to the merciless attack they suffered in the hands of the Boko Haram insurgents as well as the lackluster treatment mated to them by the government.

Addressing a press conference, the convener of the group Miriam Yakubu Ikunaiye noted that the Presidential Initiative Committee North Initiative (PCNI) could not be commissioned due to the procrastination of the Secretary to the Federal Government David Lawal Babachir who condescendingly refused to allow it to sail through leading to consequential humanitarian crisis as espoused by the report of doctors without borders.

“BCO is worried that the unfortunate and worrisome condition of IDPs could have been avoided if only the SGF releases the file of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative to give them the mandate to get to work immediately.

“Therefore, we are calling on the SGF to please see the need to free us from this unnecessary administrative bottleneck and stop stalling the take off of PCNI because we can’t play politics with lives and most of all, we can’t allow the IDPs faith to fade,” she said.

Credit:

http://leadership.ng/news/548949/bco-gives-fg-7-day-ultimatum-over-idps

Sardauna Foundation Donates N20m To Borno IDPs

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Late Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, popularly known as the Sarduana Foundation, has donated N20 million to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State through Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday in Maiduguri.

Presenting the donation at the Government House Council Chambers to Governor Shettima, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT ) of the foundation, who is also the former Niger State Governor and former chairman, Northern State Governors Forum, Engr Babangida Aliyu, said the foundation found it very vital to make its contribution in the form of financial support to the IDPs by joining other individuals and organisations both at home and abroad, in supporting the traumatised and displaced people.

He also commended the federal and state governments as well as individuals and organisations that have supported the state government in its efforts towards managing and controlling the IDPs and resettlement camps.

“The task is not a simple one and government alone cannot provide all the needs of the IDPs as well as reconstruction of the communities destroyed.

“I urge individuals and organisations to support the IDPs and state government to overcome the predicament. I commend Aliko Dangote Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their support to the IDPs and Borno State Government,” Aliyu said.

Responding, Governor Kashim Shettima thanked the Sarduana Foundation leaders for their visit as well as their donation.

He assured them that the donation would be judiciously used for the purpose it is meant for while recalling the virtues of late Sir Ahmadu Bello who left behind a legacy worthy of emulation by the northern leaders.

http://leadership.ng/news/548264/sardauna-foundation-donates-n20m-to-borno-idps

Over 3000 IDPs Stranded In Recaptured Borno Communities

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

More than 3000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are said to be stranded without food, water and shelter after the Nigerian Army recaptured Rann and other surrounding communities of Borno state from Boko Haram terrorists recently.

Troops of newly-inducted 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade, in conjunction with Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG) and the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF), carried out a clearance operation of Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge, a border community with Cameroun Republic and about 200 km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.

The gallant troops cleared the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in Kala Balge general area. The triumphant troops apart from killing 22 terrorists cleared pockets of the terrorists in Wumbi, Tunish, Tilem and Malawaji. Others are Makaudari, Daima, Buduli, Sadigumo, Jiwe, Sidigeri and Kala villages.

But sources said Correspondent that after the clearance operations that over 3000 people mostly women and children, who survived the onslaught were now taking refuge at Kala Balge without means of having food or water, as there were no presence of officials from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) or Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to render humanitarian services following inaccessibility.

Confirming the development, Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Usman Zannah in an interview expressed concern on the plights of the stranded victims and promised that Government is taking immediate measures to address the myriads of problems being faced by the trapped innocent civilians in Kala Balge.

“We just received a message that more than 3000 people mostly women and children are stranded after the liberation of Kala Balge and other surrounding villages, we have started mobilizing security operatives, SEMA officials and members of the civilian JTF to deliver relief materials to them as soon as possible.”

Credit: vanguardngr

Real Wealth Is Not A Measure Of How Much Money We Have, It’s A Measure Of How Healthy We Are – Atiku

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shared the wise words on his facebok wall this morning.

Man Disguised As NLDEA Agent Selling Cocaine To IDPs Nabbed

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The arrest of a middle-aged drug peddler in an internally displaced persons’ camp in Dikwa, Borno State has become a source of worry to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, officials said.
Baba Haruna, 48, was nabbed by agents of the drug agency while selling illicit drugs, including cocaine, to addicts within the camp as well as those in the host community, Maiduguri.
The Commandant of the NDLEA, Ona Ogilegwu, said Mr. Haruna used the camp as hub for his drug trade before he was arrested on February 27, 2016.
Journalists were unofficially informed that authorities are also trying to investigate allegations that Mr. Haruna was also a supplier of hard drugs to the members of the Boko Haram insurgents before his displacement to the camp in Maiduguri two years ago.
The suspect reportedly deceived some members of the camp from reporting him to the authorities by disguising to be an agent of the Nigerian anti-drug body.
“The criminal disguised himself as an officer of NDLEA in the IDPs camp to sell illicit drugs,” Mr. Ogilegwu said.
“After one month surveillance by men of the command, we decided to buy the hard drugs from him like two times just to confirm he is selling.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

NEMA Assures UN Of Addressing IDPs Plight

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has assured the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) that the agency would not relent in its efforts in addressing the plights of displaced persons.

Mr Sahad Bala, NEMA office Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs at Malkohi IDPs camp, made this known while receiving the UNHCR delegation at the camp in Yola, Adamawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation was led by Mr Volker Türk, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner on Protection.

Bala said that since the beginning of the insurgency in Nigeria, NEMA had always ensured protection and assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast and those across the country.

He said that as at now, more than 2.2million Nigerians have been displaced from their homes in villages and towns seeking refuge and protection in various camps and communities.

According to him, not less than 200,000 fled across the border into neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad where they live in camps and host communities as refugees under the UN agency protection.

Credit: Guardian

5,000 NSCDC Men Deployed To IDPs Camps In North-East

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Interior has approved the deployment of 5, 000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to secure the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North East and to also carry out other national assignment as may be required. The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, lauded the gesture, affirming that the 5000 corps personnel had been trained and mobilised to protect the IDP camps and the areas liberated by the military from insurgents .

According to him, the corps personnel were trained in Kachia by the military on counter terrorism, while 35,000 personnel were also trained on arms handling to position them to carry out security functions appropriately. The CG said the Command and Control Centre of the NSCDC had approved activities in the areas where there are petroleum facilities in the South South region. According to him, the facilities are given full monitoring which had enabled the centre to relay emergencies to field officers.

Credit: NationalMirror

FIRS Donates Food Items To 1,550 IDPs In FCT camps

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Thursday donated food items to 1,550 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Gwoza and Bama camps at Dururmi, FCT, to improve their standard of living.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said that thedonation by the FIRS signified government’s efforts and support to the IDPs.

The Minister was represented by the Director, Technical Services Department, Finance, Mrs Larai Shuabu.

Adeosun said that the essence of the donation was to enhance the living condition of the people.

She called on other government entities to follow suit, to ensure good health care services.

“There are certain things that one entity cannot do alone; so today we see one of the entities, an agency of government, FIRS, contributing its quota in terms of providing support to IDPs.

“We are here to support and this support signifies government efforts and support to this people and to show them that we feel their plight and we are doing all our best to make them comfortable.

The Vice Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Finance, Mr August Chukukere, said that Nigerians felt the pains of the IDPs and expressed the hope that the situation would soon normalise.

“I believe that God will help to make sure that things like this doesn’t happen anymore so that our children will have time to go to school and learn for their future.

“I urge you to take heart; we know that in a short while the suffering will be over,’’ Chukukere said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. John Enoh, said with the current administration’s efforts, Boko Haram would be come to past.

“I believe everybody soon will return to their homes.”

The Camp Coordinator, Mr Idris Halilu, said the state of the IDPs was a national challenge.

He, therefore, called on corporate bodies, NGOs and government agencies to support them.

Halilu said that this was the first time since the creation of Gwoza and Bama IDP camps that a minister and senator visited.

Halilu listed the challenges faced by the IDPs, especially in the area of housing, lack of facilities for ante-natal, delivery and emergencies.

Halilu said there were 1,550 IDPs in the camp from the North-West, adding that some of them had been in the camp for four to six years.

“We are calling on other entities to support us in skill acquisition so that people here can have a form of training,’’ Halilu said.

The Chairman, FIRS, Mr Tunder Fowler, said that Nigerians felt their pains and would do everything to make them comfortable.

(NAN)

Reps, NEMA Donate Relief Materials To IDPs, Call For End To Insurgency

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday, restated Federal Government’s commitment to end insurgency before the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the North-East.

Dogara said this when he visited the IDPs camps in the FCT alongside Mr Ishaya Chonoko, the Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja operation Office.

The speaker, in collaboration with NEMA, who donated relief materials to be distributed among the IDPs in the FCT, said that the items were provided to meet the needs of the IDPs.

At the Wasa host community, Dogara said that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the war against insurgency come to an end.

“We have come to see the condition under which you live. Even though we came with items that we want to give out to you, we know that merely handing out these items is not enough.

As a matter of fact there is nothing we can do here that will be enough because coming from the region where I come from; our hearts are always on our land.

I know that as long as you are not back to your communities where these crises forced you out, even if we give you the whole world you will not be happy.

I want to condole some of us who have lost husbands, sons, daughters and wives, the government will ensure the war is brought to an end,’’ he said.

The Speaker said that the House of Representatives had considered the plights of the IDPs and thought it critical to establish a dedicated committee that will find a lasting solution to the situation.

“The problems of the IDPs cannot be solved through an ad hoc measure that is why we are proposing by law that will establish a commission for the development of the North-East.

It is a bill that I am championing in the House and in the Senate and sooner or later, we should be able to pass that bill.

We are not going to leave it at the level of policy; we want to translate it into law so that we can make it more permanent,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Chonoko said the relief materials were provided by the Federal Government through NEMA and the House of Representatives to meet the needs of the IDPs and alleviate their sufferings.

He said that NEMA as the coordinating agency has played a very significant role in identifying the host communities in the FCT where IDPs are settled and coordinated effectively.

“We have put in place mechanisms to ensure that the relief items get to the real IDPs. We use this medium to commend Nigerians that have seen the needs to assist the IDPs and have responded to their needs’’, Chonoko said.

Rep. Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo-PDP) said the move by the Speaker to the IDPs camp was one of the signs of change, and it was not about partisan politics, but doing what was right for the people.

“I am happy that the Speaker saw this as important, his involvement and passion on getting it right shows there is better hope for tomorrow.

“What is also important is for all Nigerians to come together and make sure that we put an end to the issue of insurgency, so that these families can go back to their constituencies,” he said.

Mrs Alhasan Adamu, the Women Leader, Wasa IDPs Camp, said that she was glad to see people in government in the camp, saying it showed that they were not forgotten.

She urged the government to continue to help them and ensure their return home.

“I came to seek refuge in this camp because the terrorists killed my husband and we need more food and water to survive.

“We are thankful and also plead with the government to take us back to our village to continue our farming after the insurgency because we are all farmers,’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed include: Bags of rice, maize, Sugar, millets, Beans, vegetable oil, Wax, cartons of indomie noodles among others.

(NAN)

Olawale Rotimi: IDPs In Nigeria And A Call For Urgent Intervention

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Among others, the growing level of violent attacks in Northern Nigeria has unavoidably led to the increase in the number of displaced persons in Nigeria. Due to siege laid by extremist in northern Nigeria, well over a million Nigerians are displaced and live in IDP camps in their own country. There are varying statistics about the number of Nigerians living in IDP camps, according to the Displacement Tracking Index published in February 2015, 1,188,018 IDPs consisting of 149,357 households were identified in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states alone. In addition to this, another 47,276 IDPs consisting of 5910 households were identified in Plateau, Nasarawa, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna states, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In total, 1,235,294 IDPs were identified in northern Nigeria while the highest number of IDPs is in Borno state with 672,714, followed by Adamawa state with 220,159 and Yobe state 135,810.

According to the report been assessed, the IDP population is composed of the following:

· 53 % women and 47% men.

· 56% of the total IDP population are children of which more than half are up to 5 years old, while 42% are adults.

· 92% of IDPs were dis- placed by the insurgency.

· The majority of the current IDP population was displaced in 2014 (79%).

· The IDPs come mainly from Borno (62%), Adamawa (18%) and Yobe (13%).

· 87% of IDPs live with host families while 13% live in camps.

Boko Haram has killed more people than ISIS, particularly in 2014. The Taliban which was rated as the deadliest group in 2013 was ranked third in 2014 despite killing over three thousand people in deadly terrorist attacks. In 2014 only, 32,658 people were killed by Boko Haram compared to 18,111 in 2013. This extremist has taken responsibility for deadly attacks in Nigeria’s capital and northern parts; with Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as the hotbed. These attacks have led to massive and incessant displacement of people in this geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Assessing the spate of displacement it spread across Nigeria and her neighbours. Aside government organized IDP camps, there are many IDP camps that are organized by people who escaped terrorist attacks in this zone while thousands migrated to peaceful parts of the country- south west Nigeria in particular. (How many IDP camps are situated in the south west?)

Despite efforts of the United Nations, its organs and other non-governmental organizations collaborating with the Government of Nigeria in order to ameliorate the conditions of IDPs and rehabilitate the victims, there are daunting challenges confronting victims of terrorist attacks in Nigeria. It is important to note that the thoroughly poor condition of IDPs in Nigeria reflects the impecunious condition millions of Nigerians live. There’s a wide gap of commitment to the welfare, security and rehabilitation of IDPs from the Federal and State government authorities. Briefly examined below, these are three major problems confronting government recognized IDPs camps in Nigeria:

Welfare: Displaced persons are finding it difficult to regain pre-conflict way of living because of the poor living condition; poor sanitation which exposes members of the camps to infectious diseases, poor medical facilities which accommodate growth of infectious bacteria, fungi and virus in their bodies, poor feeding which exposes them to malnutrition and poor condition of infrastructure such as power, water, roads e.t.c.

Considering the population of nursing mothers and children, several appeals have been made to previous and incumbent governments to ameliorate the condition of IDPs but created little or no result. Members of parliament representing affected regions have slammed the Federal and State Government Authorities severally but no result. Members of the IDP camps need the attention of the Nigerian government to ameliorate their conditions.

Security: In September 2015, the deadly terrorist group, Boko Haram in a suicide mission, attacked members of IDPs Camps in Madagali and Yola killing 12 persons. In one of the attacks, bombs were reported to have been detonated inside a tent at the IDP camp. This among others are security threats faced by members of IDP camps in Nigeria. Yet to recover from psychological trauma from loss of families, friends and properties, displaced persons are faced with security challenge coupled with a responsibility to protect themselves in their various camps. The inadequacy of security at the IDP camps opens them to attacks from terrorists and armed robbers.

Rehabilitation: Hosting IDPs in camps without solid rehabilitation plans makes them vulnerable to crime in a bid to survive. Members of IDP camps must be kept busy psychologically and rehabilitated economically to help them recover from the scourge of conflict. Rehabilitation process of IDP camps members have been sufficiently low. There seem to be a deliberate attempt from the government to ignore the displaced persons; this is evident in several failed, unfulfilled promises made by government and the politicizing of IDPs. Today, the IDP camps is emerging a ground for politicians to score cheap political popularity by visiting to donate scanty items while leaving out long term solutions.

In addition to the comprehensive challenges stated above, it’s pertinent to also note that there are some IDP camps that are unrecognized by the Federal and state governments. This implies that, the figures of IDPs projected by the government are not accurate since they are limited to camps organized or recognized by the government. In a short documentary broadcast on Channels Television, tagged “Displaced Persons Seek Support of Government, NGOs”, Channels TV reporter, Victor Mathias, gave a statistical, analytic and visual plight of an IDP camp that the government has refused to identify despite the agonies faced by members of the camp. His submission is asserted below:

“The Malkohi IDP camp is located a few kilometres from the government recognized IDP camp in Yola and has no security, electricity, healthcare facilities, with little or no donation from the government, NGOs and International Bodies. With 215 households, 777 children excluding men and women, they find solace in the settlement after been sacked from their ancestral homes by Boko Haram. Some members have even contemplated suicide due to extreme pains from injuries sustained while fleeing from Boko Haram”

The reporter, Victor Mathias, also interacted with the Adamawa State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Sajoh, who said the Federal and Adamawa State governments are aware of the existence of new IDP settlements but to integrate them into the government’s scheme, “proper” channel must be followed. Ahmed said until the government is informed through proper channel, no step will be taken to rescue these displaced persons.”

The above reported interaction between Channels Television journalist, Adamawa state government and an IDP camp reveals the poor condition the members of IDP settlements are exposed to and the nonchalance of government to help improve their plight. The refusal of Adamawa state government to recognize IDPs camps based on the claim that they haven’t followed “proper” channel violates responsibility of government to its citizens.

This disgraceful act against humanity also violates conventional conduct; Nigeria’s failure to responsibly accommodate Nigerians living in IDPs Camps within the country is too low a blow for the government. Recently in a similar development, we have seen European countries accommodate refugees from Syria who were displaced due to on-going war in Syria, unofficial immigrants accommodated in Europe. Again, Nigeria’s failure to accommodate her own citizens in IDP camps puts to question the commitment of the government to take responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. In the same vein, due to security reasons, IDPs in Madagali and Michika LGAs were not accessible for assessment by statisticians.

There is an urgent need to break protocols in recognizing and accommodating victims of deadly attacks in northern Nigeria. These bureaucracies are irrelevant for a compassionate government. All barricades against displaced persons must be lifted; government and its agencies should scout for displaced persons from settlement to settlement and bring them comfort, particularly in crisis ridden-area of the country. The attention of the United Nations Humans Right Commission, World Powers and NGOs should be drawn and quickened to this. Corruption and government irresponsibility shouldn’t infiltrate the IDP camps.

Olawale Rotimi is a journalist/writer. He can be reached via olawalerotty@gmail.com or 08105508224

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

IDPs Will Return To Their Homes Early Next Year– Buhari

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari declared yesterday in Abuja that the return of persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to their home communities will begin early next year.

Speaking when he hosted a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) led by former British foreign minister, Mr David Miliband, President Buhari said that his administration would do all within its powers to facilitate the quick return and resettlement of over two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their towns and villages.

According to a statement issued by his senior special assistant, Media, Malam Garba Shehu, the president told Mr Miliband and his delegation that the federal government would welcome the support of the IRC and other local and international non-governmental organisations in the rehabilitation of IDPs.

“In 2016, the return of the IDPs will start in earnest. They will return to their communities to meet destroyed schools and other infrastructure which have to be rebuilt.

“With agriculture being moribund in the region in the last two years without cropping, hunger is already manifest. We will welcome all the help we can get to assist the returnees, “ President Buhari said.

Credit: Leadership

IDPs Prepare To Leave Camps For Home

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

More than 100,000 people uprooted by violence and living in camps in northeast Nigeria are set to return home soon, but many fear for their safety and ability to rebuild their lives, aid agency staff said on Thursday.

The Nigerian government plans to close in the coming months camps housing 150,000 displaced people in Borno and Adamawa states as security improves in the north, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The army has this year recaptured much of the territory seized by Boko Haram in its six-year campaign to carve out an Islamic state in the northeast, but the militants have since struck back with a surge of deadly raids and suicide bombings.

Most people living in camps want to return home but are worried about the threat of attacks and lack confidence in the military’s ability to protect them, Reuters quoted Stéphanie Daviot of the International Organisation for Migration as saying.

“They also say that the economic situation is not stable enough to go back, as shops and services have not been reopened, there is little work and their land has not been preserved… many people do not have the money to restart their lives.”

Many of those who have already gone home have found their houses and land destroyed or occupied by others, Daviot added.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Taraba IDPs Send SoS To Buhari Over Herdsmen Attacks

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

IDPs, in Taraba State yesterday called on President Mohammadu Buhari, to stop incessant Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers in the state.

The call came on the heels of recent Fulani herdsmen attack in Dan-Anacha, Gassol Local Government Area of the state where one person was killed and two others injured while working in their farm in the area.

Mr. Iorumbur David whose two sons; Tertsea Iorumbur and Theophilus Iorumbur were among the injured in the attack told National Mirror that the herdsmen killed one person on a nearby farm before attacking his sons who were harvesting beans.

“They were on the farm harvesting when suddenly the herdsmen came with their cattle and started eating up the farm.

“My sons ran to Dan-Anacha and informed the police who accompanied them to the farm. But on arrival the herdsmen who were well armed with AK47 removed their cutlasses and cut them down, while the police fled the scene,” he said.

Credit: NationalMirror

Boko Haram Suspects Dressed As First Aid Workers Arrested In Zaria

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Two suspected members of Boko Haram sect who disguised as members of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamitis Sunna (JIBWIS) First Aid Group based in Zaria, Kaduna state, ?have been arrested and handed over to the police. Daily Trust reports that the Police Area Commander in charge of Zaria headquarters, Muhammad D.? Shehu, confirmed the arrest and said the suspects will be? transferred to the police state command.

“The first suspect was caught fully dressed in our uniform. Members of our First Aid Group (‘Yan Agaji) have their uniform. Following the military’s advice, we have introduced certain security measures. Through those measures, our members can identify themselves anywhere they meet. This was how we arrested the suspect and handed him over to the police. On investigation, it was discovered that the first suspect was operating under the leadership of one Hassan Mahauci who resides in Maigana, Soba local government. Of recent, the leader of our First Aid Group in Soba local government was matcheted to death. Therefore, the arrest of these suspects made us to believe that it was Boko Haram that killed him. We would continue to be vigilant and we want to advise all religious groups to do the same since Boko Haram have began to infiltrate our First Aid Groups.”he said

NAF Provides Medicare To IDPs (PHOTOS)

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

As part of the Nigerian Air Force humanitarian effort at caring for the less privileged and to provide adequate medical care for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East, the Nigerian Air Force Hospital which was established in Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri has commenced operation. The Hospital would not only cater for the healthcare needs of the IDPs, but also alleviate the sufferings of victims of terrorism in North Eastern Nigeria.

The 50 bed hospital by United Nations (UN) standard has an Operating Theatre, a Radio Diagnostic Unit, Dental unit, Laboratory, Accident and Emergency Units, Out-Patient and In-Patient facilities for at least 36 patients and a pediatric section. The full fledged NAF Hospital in Dalori IDPs camp is also equipped with facilities for in-patient catering, information and records, central sterile supply unit, maternity section and a pharmaceutical section.

IDPS Appeal To Buhari On Improved Welfare

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Durumi Camp, Abuja, on Tuesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide basic social amenities at IDPs camps nationwide.

The Secretary of the IDPs Camps, Mr Bala Yusuf, made the call on the sideline of a visit by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Abuja.

Yusuf lamented that the IDPs camps in Abuja had no basic facilities while their members went through difficulties to access healthcare services.

He particularly lamented over the condition of one of their members, Malam Abdullahi Usman, who was involved in an accident while operating a commercial tricycle to earn a living.

Yusuf said that Usman was still being detained by the National Hospital, Abuja, over non-payment of N 350,000 bill.

He regretted that the IDPs had not been able to raise the money while the condition of Usman was deteriorating, and appealed to the National Hospital management to release their member.

According to him, the hospital treated the patient and gave them a bill of N387,455, out of which the IDP members paid only N85,000.

Read More: dailyindependentnig

North East IDPs Hit 5m- Dogara

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The number of Nigerians displaced by violence in the insurgency-ravaged North East has reached five million, speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said.

Dogara who spoke when he received the head of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Ms. Angel Dekonge Antangara in his office, disputed official figures of IDPs put at 2.1 million.

He said the actual number of people affected by Boko Haram insurgency may be close to five million.

“As an indigene of the North East, it is safe to say the number of IDPs in Nigeria can be up to five million,” Dogara said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan.

Dogara recalled that he has sponsored a motion which in part, requested President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently establish a North East Development Commission and convene an International Donor Conference or Summit to mobilise additional financial resources through international donor funding for the rehabilitation of the North East.

The speaker appealed for help for the North East from the UNHCR and other donors.

Read More: leadership

Boko Haram: IDPs From Gwoza Write Buhari, Reveal Insurgents’ Hiding Place

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Internally Displaced Persons from Gwoza have appealed to the Military High Command to undertake an operation within the Bayan Dutse area of Gwoza to flush out the insurgents and bring back peace to their homeland.

In an open letter written to President Muhammadu Buhari on their behalf by five community leaders, the IDPs stated that if only the Bayan Dutse area would be attacked, all the Boko Haram insurgents hiding there would be flushed out and peace would be restored.

They said “in line with the persistent call by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai that anyone with credible information should come forth and assist the military, we wish to mention the following villages as being Boko Haram infested, with some captives among them”.

They listed the villages as: Boko Sanawa, Ngoshe, Gavva, Kunnde, Amuda, Agapalwa and Attagara.

Others are Chinene, Chikide, Arboko, Pege, Kughum, Klala in the mountain, Hembe in the mountain, Gathagure in the mountsin, Guduf in the mountain, Sabon garin Kunnde, Kirawa and Barawa.

According to them, some of the IDPS that went to the area recently discovered that most of their houses had been vandalized.

The letter, which was signed by Mohammed Abubakar Kulkwa, Audu Duwara, Bukar Ndakva, Daniel Dahwara and Bitrus Katsala implored the President not to disregard their plea because it was the only sure way to conquer the terrorists.

Source- Kevin djarkpo Blog

Bomb Hits IDP Camp In Yola

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that a bomb tore through the warehouse of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Friday afternoon.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the bombing as well, reports TheCable.

Sanni Datti, spokesman of the state emergency agency, gave the name of the camp as Malkohi and said its inhabitants are currently being evacuated.

“I can confirm to you that there was a bomb blast at Malkohi camp this morning but we don’t have the details for now because we are busy evacuating people,” he told TheCable.

Cameroon Sends Back 650 More Nigerian IDPs

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Sa’ad Bello, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Camps Coordinator, said on Wednesday in Fufore, Adamawa, that the agency has received another 650 Nigerians sent back home from Cameroun Republic.

“So far, we have received over 9,000 Nigerians who escaped from Boko Haram attacks to Cameroun Republic,” he said. “The repatriated Nigerians were mostly women and children from Borno.”

According to him, the agency has settled the IDPs in four major camps in the state which include the NYSC Orientation Camp at Bajabure in Girei Council Area, the Malkohi IDPs Camp in Yola South Council Area, the Fufore Camp in Fufore Local Government and Saint Theresa Catholic Camp in Yola North Area.

He said that the new IDPs were undergoing intensive security and health screening, and appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to collaborate with the agency in assisting the IDPs.

Adamawa To Spend N200m To Rehabilitate IDPs

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Adamawa State governor, Umar Jubrilla Bindow, has unveiled a N200 million plan to rehabilitate internally displaced persons (DPS), who are at the receiving end of the insurgency in the North-East states. The state currently hosts Nigeria’s largest population of IDPs, mostly from Borno and Yobe sates.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Governor Bindow said his administration had announced the setting up of a N200 million security budget, of which over N50 million would form a part of the state’s internal contribution to co-funding counter-insurgency operations, aided by local vigilante and intelligence gathering, while about N50 million would go into helping to manage the internal refugee crisis.

Part of the funds, according to the governor, would be directly managed by organisations, which, until now, had been helping to provide community-based restoration and rehabilitation of victims of the insurgency, independent of the government.

He said his administration’s decision to partner local and religious organisations was informed by its conviction that they were closer to the people at the grassroots, making them valuable partners in local security response and post-incident recovery.

Governor Bindow said: “The country is facing a guerrilla-style insurgency, which is different from conventional warfare.”

Read More: sunnewsonline

IDPs Welfare Is Top Priority- Buhari

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The resettlement and comfort of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will remain a top priority of the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja on Monday.

He made the declaration after receiving briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Ezekiel Oyebola Oyemomi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the well-being of about 1.5 million people displaced by the insurgency in the North-East must always be uppermost in the minds of those in government.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, therefore directed the ministry to always be mindful of the pathetic circumstances of the IDPs, and factor them into proposals for next year’s Budget.

“You must help to improve their situation,” the President told the Permanent Secretary and his team of officials.

Read More: thenationonlineng

7 New Babies Born At IDPs Camp

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

No fewer than seven new births have been recorded at the Mubi transit camp of Nigerian returnees from the Republic of Cameroon. This is just as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has transported 5,762 returnees to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Yola, Adamawa State.

Health workers assisted in the safe delivery of seven pregnant women of four girls and three boys who are all in stable condition.

The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, had earlier visited Mubi to officially receive the returnees and assured them of the Federal Government’s support. The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, accompanied him apparently because most of the returnees, who had been displaced by insurgents before fleeing to the Republic of Cameroon, were from the state.

Meanwhile, NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, who is coordinating the evacuation, has stated that 4,641 of the returnees were transported at the weekend, from the camps in Yola to Borno State.

He said: “We have moved the returnees from the Mubi reception centre and all those at the Nigerian/Cameroun border post in Sahuda, after clearance by the Nigerian Immigration Service and other security agencies, to the IDPs camps in Yola.”

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Jigawa Trains 650 Health Workers On Neglected Diseases

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Jigawa Ministry of Health on Monday said it has trained 650 community health workers on the management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the state.

The State Eye Care Programme Coordinator, Dr Abubakar Abdurrahman, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Dutse.

He said that the exercise, conducted in collaboration with an NGO, Health and Development Support Programme, had participants from the 26 local government areas in the state.

Abdurrahman said that the the training was focussed on updating the knowledge and skills of health workers at community level to support the treatment and control of the diseases.

He added that it was also to ensure delivery of effective strategies to rural communities for the prevention and control of the NTDs.

The coordinator said that the health workers, who were divided into four teams, were trained for seven days.

He reaffirmed that the commitment of the government and the supporting partners to eliminate NTDs in the state before the year 2020.

Abdurrahman commended health officers in various communities for their cooperation towards the successful implementation of the programme.

63,000 IDPs Taking Refuge In Plateau – SEMA

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Staff Reporter

More than 63, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are taking refuge in various camps in Plateau, Alhaji Alhassan Barde, Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said in Jos on Monday.

Barde told NAN that the IDPs were from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, Taraba and Plateau States.

He explained that those from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe were victims of insurgents attacks, while IDPs from Nasarawa and Taraba were displaced by ethno-religious crises and the others from Plateau were victims of violent midnight attacks.

The executive secretary said that IDPs displaced by insurgents attacks were 5,508, out of which 4,450 were taking refuge in Jos North Local Government Council.

“Nine hundred and forty persons are in Jos South Local Government while 118 are in Jos East,” he added.

The official also said that 18,000 IDPs displaced by ethno-religious crises were camped in Quan’Pan Local Government, 3,000 in Shendam, 1,626 in Langtang North, 1,074 in Langtang South, while Mikang area hosts 3,145.

Speaking further, Barde said that 300 IDPS were in Wase, 2,448 in Kanam and 1,380 in Kanke.

The executive secretary said that those displaced by violent attacks in Plateau were about 24,029, with 2,280 of them in Barkin Ladi, 1,423 in Bokkos and 20,326 in Riyom.

He said that SEMA was having “a very tough time” catering for the basic needs of the IDPs including the provision of food, shelter, clothing, health/nutrition toiletries and beddings.

“The challenges are worsened by the dearth of funds and the ongoing workers’ strike which had made it impossible for the staff of the agency to carry out their duties,” he said.

Kano,Zamfara,Others, Close IDP Camps As Inmates Re-Unite With Relations

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The various camps established for Internally Displaced Persons in Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara States, have been closed down following the reunion of the inmates with their families.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 2,000 IDPs affected by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, were in the various camps at different times.

In Kano, Alhaji Ali Bashir, the Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency, said the temporary camp established in Dawakin Kudu Local Government area of the state, was closed down in January.

He said that the camp was closed after all the IDPs from Mubi in Adamawa, Taraba and Borno, returned to their respective local government areas, or went to stay with their relations.

Bashir however said that the camp was recently reopened for two days when about 518 IDPs were evacuated from Geidam in Yobe, after they returned from Niger Republic.

“They were part of the 6, 000 persons who returned to the country from Niger Republic recently.

“The affected IDPs were kept at the temporary camp in Dawakin Kudu, but have since returned to their respective local government areas of origin, as they stayed for only one or two days,” he said.

According to him, each of the IDPs was given N2, 500 as transport and feeding allowance, in addition to 50 bags of maize donated to them to alleviate their sufferings.

“As I am talking to you now, the camp is closed because all the 518 IDPs from Niger Republic, have returned to their respective homes in 22 local government areas of the state,” Bashir said.

In Zamfara all the 143 IDPs have successfully rejoined their families, according to the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Salisu Kwatarkwashi.

He said that most of the affected persons, comprising women, children and the aged, were evacuated from Niger Republic, through Gaidam in Yobe.

“All the displaced persons that were confirmed to be indigenes of Zamfara, numbering 143, were transported from NEMA camp in Sokoto, after which we took them to their respective emirate councils.

“At this moment, all the 143 persons have been re-integrated into their communities of origin, and we have not received any complaint since their resettlement,” he said.

He said his office had screened the IDPs health and mental status, and were certified to be in good health condition.

He urged communities where such IDPs were received in the state, not to discriminate against the returnees.

In Kaduna, there was no official camp for IDPs from the conflict in the Northeast, but the state government had set up various camps for those displaced by conflicts within the state.

More than 23, 890 people were affected by communal clashes since 2014 in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government areas of the state, all of whom had been rehabilitated and allowed to return to their homes.

The spokesman of the state Emergency Management Agency, Abubakar Zakari-Adamu, said presently, there was no IDPs camp anywhere in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna Zonal office of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), also said it had no IDP camp in the states under it.

It would be recalled that in January this year, the agency’s Zonal Coordinator, Malam Musa Ilallah, had said that they had catered for 44, 398 IDPs, who were mostly displaced due to communal clashes and attacks by unknown gunmen.

He said that the IDPs were from Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina and a few from the North East, who settled in Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna States.

Ilallah said 20, 508 of the IDPs were victims of attacks by gunmen in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, while 23, 890 people were displaced by communal clashes in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government areas of Kaduna state.

He said thousands of others were dispersed by persistent attacks in Sanga Gocal Government area, where NEMA had set up seven camps to support those affected.

According to him, 10 bomb blasts were recorded in 2014 during which 248 persons died and 435 others were injured.

He said eight of the bomb blasts and suicide attacks, were recorded in Kano city while two occurred in Kaduna.

Ilallah said the total number of those killed during the period as a result of bomb blasts, communal clashes and attacks by gunmen in the three states, was 945.

The NEMA coordinator disclosed that 7, 692 households were affected by the attacks, which left many houses, shops and schools, destroyed.

He said that NEMA had provided assistance to all the victims, and would continue to render vital emergency services to victims of disasters at all times.

In Kebbi, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) established a temporary camp to resettle about 513 Internally Displaced Persons that came from Karanga town in Niger Republic.

Alhaji Cindo Jega, the Director of the agency, said in Birnin Kebbi that the displaced persons, most of them fishermen resident in Karanga and victims of insurgent attack, were hosted at a camp for few days, and reunited with their relations in the state.

In another development, a transit camp established in Giedam town of Yobe for displaced persons relocated from Niger Republic had also been closed.

Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, Director Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said about 11,000 Nigerians relocated from Islands on Lake Chad, had returned to Nigeria, through Giedam.

Borno Seeks Support As 126 Babies Are Delivered At IDPs Camps Daily

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Borno State government is seeking both local and international support to enable it cater adequately for persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state. This is because each of the 21 internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp records about six child births daily. This makes a total of 126 babies daily from the 21 camps.

Alhaji Grema Terab, the executive chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) disclosed this in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday.

“We record an average of between five and six births in each of the 21 camps daily,” said Terab. “The IDPs are residences of 22 out of the 27 local government areas of the state.

“The state government is solely responsible for their daily feeding and provision of other needs,” he said.

Terab noted that the birth rate in the camps was high, adding that “sometimes, we record a large number of twins.

“This is most common in the Federal Training Centre camp, where IDPs from Bama Local Council are taking refuge.”
According to him, the state government was planning to set up a medically equipped labour room in each of the camps, to reduce the hardship faced by women during childbirth.

“So the state government needs the support of all to adequately cater for the internally displaced persons,” Terab said.

Boko Haram Victims Test Positive for HIV / AIDS

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Five residents from the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Maiduguri have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Ismaila Watila, leader of non-governmental organisation Business and Professional Women, revealed the data yesterday and said that although the number represents only about 0.5 per cent of the 1,000 people screened, a dangerous trend has still been identified.

According to Watila, the aim of the screening was to determine the health status of the victims and prevent the spread of disease between them. He added that all affected IDPs have been counselled and have been referred for treatment.

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Life of Refugees in Chad From Baga- UNICEF (Watch Video)

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Staff Reporter