In a significant step towards alleviating the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the impoverished in Benue State, Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, joined forces with State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia for the ground-breaking ceremony of Renewed Hope shelters in Tatyo and Kyo communities, Makurdi North.
This was contained in a statement signed hy Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, SA Media & Publicity, on Thursday.
The project, aimed at fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to reducing humanitarian crises and poverty, signifies a promising stride towards addressing the long-standing challenges faced by the displaced population.
Dr. Edu expressed the President’s dedication to providing security and resettling those affected by conflicts, such as the Herdsmen-farmers clashes that have plagued the region for over a decade.
With a learning center, health facility, and market, the Renewed Hope shelter is envisioned as a holistic solution.
Dr. Edu emphasized community involvement in the construction, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with the Benue State Government.
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The Minister commended Governor Alia for restoring peace to Tatyo and Tyo communities, acknowledging the Governor’s efforts to quell violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands since 2012. The toll of these conflicts is stark, with over 12,000 lives lost in Tatyo alone since 2011.
Expressing her sadness over the years of hardship endured by the IDPs, Dr. Edu pledged that the journey back to ancestral homes had begun, marking the dawn of renewed hope.
The Minister urged a return to farming activities, aligning with President Tinubu’s emphasis on food security as a crucial aspect of his Eight Point Agenda.
Governor Alia, echoing the sentiment of renewed hope, highlighted the agony of the displaced indigenes and their eagerness to resume farming, their core livelihood.
He applauded Dr. Edu for her dedication to the vulnerable in the state and promised collaboration with the federal government to facilitate the return of IDPs to their ancestral homes.
The joyous atmosphere during the ground-breaking ceremony marked a turning point, as thousands of displaced persons set foot on their ancestral land after a decade of displacement.
The Renewed Hope shelters symbolize not only a physical haven but also a beacon of optimism for the people of Benue, as they embark on the journey towards recovery and prosperity.
