Keffi: On Saturday, the First Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, inaugurated a new resettlement city for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees in the Yar-Kande community of Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The project, constructed by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs (NCFRMI), was named after the First Lady.
In her remarks, Mrs. Tinubu said the event represented 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 President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to enhance social welfare programmes for all Nigerians.
“President Tinubu would love to see all Nigerians being cared for, living in a dignified environment, going to school, and contributing to society, as their hope is being renewed,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu also praised the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Tijjani Ahmed, for completing 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 greenhouses, vocational training centres, a police station, a church, and a mosque, which would help the families settle down and be independent,” she said.
The first lady recalled that she was in the State two months ago to commission the Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home, which the Office of Sustainable Development Goals built 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, this is a new dawn. I urge you to continue 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 displaced persons/refugee households, providing them with decent accommodation and a better life.
He explained that about 239 individuals benefited from the allocations, adding that there were other amenities like a school and a 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 arrangements had been made with security and healthcare development agencies to protect and assist the refugees.
While promising to replicate the initiative across the country, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the gesture was a renewed hope for the displaced persons.
“Your voice is heard, and you matter to us; you now have access to a good life and dignity,” Yilwatda said.
On his part, the Nasarawa State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Sule, commended the federal government for its support of humanity, especially the displaced persons in the country.
Sule said the State provided farmlands for the IDPs to aid their livelihood and well-being.
Mr. Earnest Cho, a Cameronian refugee, appreciated the government’s kind gesture and expressed his excitement about living in a free accommodation and farming community.
Cho, who is the leader of Refugees in Nigeria, said that in addition to the solar power provided, the government should connect them to the national grid for constant electricity and mobility for better living conditions.
