The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Saturday inaugurated a new resettlement city for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees in the Yar-Kande community of Keffi, Nasarawa State.
NewsDirect reports the project, constructed by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs (NCFRMI) was named after the first Lady.
Mrs Tinubu in her remarks said the event represented the progress in the national efforts to restore hope; dignity; safety and patriotism to concerned Nigerians who were displaced from their homes.
“I am pleased to witness the resettlement of 40 households, comprising 239 individuals, into a safe and dignified environment.
“This development reaffirms the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to enhance social welfare programmes for all Nigerians.
“President Tinubu would love to see all Nigerians being cared for, live in a dignified environment, going to school and being productive to society, as their hope is being renewed,” she said .
Mrs Tinubu also praised the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Tijjani Ahmed, for the successful completion of the project
“Our work does not end here, resettlement must go hand in hand with empowerment and skill acquisition.
“I am glad to learn that 100 hectares of farmland have been secured for the families to cultivate for food and income.
“It is encouraging to hear that the resettlement city is equipped with green houses, vocational training centres, a police station, a church, and a mosque and would help the families to settle down and be independent,” she said.
The first lady recalled that she was in the state two month back to commission the Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home built by the Office of Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“The orphanage now cares for over 150 of our precious children, giving them a beautiful home where they can live and thrive like any other Nigerian,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She commended the citizens of Yar-Kande town, the host community, for accommodating their new neighbours.
“To the families being resettled here today, I say: this is a new dawn. I urge you to continue to be law abiding and live peacefully with your host community.
“Settle down and respect your host, don’t add political problems to the cause of your initial displacement, live in peace with everyone,” she urged
Earlier, Ahmed said the resettlement city housed about 40 households of displaced persons/refugees providing them with a decent accommodation for better living.
He explained that about 239 individuals benefited from the allocations adding that there were other amenities like school and hospital.
He also said that plans were in place to reintegrate IDPs and refugees into the immediate community, adding that the Centre had a trade skills centre to ensure their livelihood.
He further said that arrangements had been made with security agencies and health care development agencies to provide protection and assistance to the refugees.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, while promising to replicate the initiative across the country, said that the gesture was indeed a renewed hope for the displaced persons.
“Your voice is heard and you matter to us, you now have access to good life and dignity,” Yilwatda said.
On his part, the Nasarawa State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Sule, commended the Federal Government for its support to humanity, especially the displaced persons in the country.
Sule said that the State provided farmlands for the IDPs to aid their livelihood and well-being.
Mr Earnest Cho, a Cameronian refugee, while appreciating the government for the kind gesture, expressed his excitement of living in a free accommodation and farming community.
Cho, who is the leader of Refugees in Nigeria, said, in addition to the the solar power provided, the government should connect them to the national grid for constant electricity as well as mobility for better living conditions