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By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),Professor Emmanuel Osodeke has expressed concerns over the plight of Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs), urging government and authorities concern to ensure their return to their various homes to enable them continue their life.
Speaking at the Flagg off of the distribution of relief materials to Kasuwar Daji community of 250 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp in Sokoto, Professor Osodeke represented by Professor Sunday Ighalo said the plight of the IDPs was pathetic noting that return to their various homes would enable them pick up with life and engage in something meaningful to contribute their own quota.
” The government and relevant authorities as well people of goodwill should come together and do what is necessary by giving the basic care and comfort to the displaced persons who have lost their means of livelihood and property to attacks and violence”, Osodeke appealed.
He commended UDUS branch of the union for the gesture.
The Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) donated the items as part of its humanitarian gesture to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility to the society.
The relief materials included Rice, Beans, Salt, Cooking Oil and seasoning.
The UDUS branch Chairman of the Union, Professor Muhammad Nuraddeen Al-Mustapha said the exercise in Sokoto was part of the Northwest Zone initiative across Katsina, Zamfara Kebbi and Sokoto states branches.
According to Almustapha, the union has earmarked N50 million for the distribution, adding that each member of the union were taxed N2000 for the period of 6 months to provide the relief materials.
He said the union had intensified efforts towards driving responsive sensitization to influence the government on the urgent need to focus more on IDPs as well provide security for them to be secured back in their homes.
” We have at different fora came up with workable blue print including intelligence report by intellectuals to support and make government act. We all need to put our hands together to restore peace and normalcy in our communities ravaged by violence and attacks of bandits”, he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Almustapha acknowledged the contribution of an individual who personally donated 250 sacks of pure water to the IDPs.
The Special Adviser , Sokoto state Emegency Management Agency, Nasiru Kalambaina said the state government had been living up to its responsibilities by taking care of the IDPs in the state.
According to Kalambaina, the state government had built working synergy with NGOs , CSOs and relevant stakeholders in providing basic and necessary needs including shelter for IDPs locally and those who came from other ravaged states.
” We are committed to their welfare and comfort “, he stressed.
He said the agency through the state government had compiled a comprehensive list and data of IDPs in the state .
” Already,we have constituted an expanded committee for active security measures to ensure the safe return of IDPs to their homes.
Malam Safiya, a displaced mother of 7 orphans from Sabon Birni who benefitted could not hold back her joy for the items.
She described the gesture as wonderful and helpful to their survival.
According to her” I have lost what to say for the humane gesture by ASUU branch of UDUS. I lost my husband to banditry. I am left with 7 little children to cater for. May God reward the donors”, a She sheds tears.
