Buhari tasks ministry on North East threats, launches housing projects
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development to come up with specific programs to address urgent threats posed by explosive remnants in the North East region.
The President, who issued the directive on World Humanitarian Day (WHD) 2022, yesterday, in Maiduguri, affirmed his government’s commitment to reducing the effect of disasters, climate change, insurgency and challenges of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Charging the ministry and its agencies to pay attention to emerging issues amid the return and rehabilitation of Nigerians displaced in the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region, the President said: “The emerging issues include the increasing number of orphans and widows. From our experience in the unfortunate civil war, I know the threat that unexploded ordnances can pose to returnees, even after the conflict, as we saw in the latest IED incident in Bama just last week.”
He praised humanitarian aid workers across the globe for distinguishing themselves through their courage, commitment and drive to help their fellow humans in need – often at extreme personal risk to themselves.
In his welcome address, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State said the state is enjoying relative peace and stability due to the sacrifices of gallant soldiers, security agencies, local vigilantes and the MNJTF.
Buhari also commissioned the Bulunkutu Teachers’ Quarters on Airport road and Molai 500 low-cost housing estate for IDPs constructed by the state government with support from the Federal Government.
“As we observe WHD, I urge world leaders to pay tribute to all the works of life and nationalists that are advocating life-saving aids,” he said, adding that the most vulnerable citizens were affected by man-made and natural disasters.
He added that the humanitarian day also reaffirms the commitment to reduce the effect of disasters, climate change and other misfortunes through the provisions of livelihoods support for the victims to live in dignity and comfort.
“One of the most innovative steps taken by our administration was the coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts with the entrenchment of coordination of emergency humanitarian in line with international best practices,” he said.
United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said: “The humanitarian solutions to various humanitarian problems is only peace.”
He added that women were highly impacted by the crisis and other forms of suffering.
Schmale noted that opportunities would not be possible without the dedication and expertise of local actors.
