Patience Jonathan Donates Relief Materials In Borno

Nigeria’s first lady,Dame Patience Jonathan has donated three truckloads of relief materials to displaced victims of insurgency from Damboa, Gworza, and Bama, among other areas.

Patience Jonathan

The first lady, who was represented by the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, distributed the items in the various camps he visited in Borno and Gombe state. He also delivered the goodwill messages of President Goodluck Jonathan and the First Lady.

The minister while delivering the goodwill message said: “The First Lady, as a mother of the nation, identified with my people in this trying time. She asked me to tell you she shares your pain and she prayed that Almighty God touches the hearts of the insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”

Responding, the Emir, Mai Umar Aliyu, at his palace in Biu, thanked the President and the Federal Government for coming to the aid of the displaced people, adding that the materials were swiftly delivered.

“We commend our President for his speedy response in this emergency. We commend our son, the Minister of Power, who though made adequate provisions for the displaced. We appreciate their concerns for us in this trying period” Aliyu said.

Wakil commended the Emir and the Emirate Council for supporting the federal government in the fight against insurgency, and thanked the Biu people for accommodating the internally displaced persons.

The minister promised to continue the visitations to other camps on behalf of the Federal Government.

 

Meanwhile, the Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, NCFRMI, Hajia Hadiza Kangiwa, on August 18, 2014, revealed that the country has over 600,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from the North Eastern part since the insurgency began in 2011, with several other people killed.

The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, in Hausa language meaning “Western education is sin”. The sect was designated a terrorist group by the US in 2013. The extremist reportedly took to arm struggle after police extra judicially killed its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, while in their custody.