Boko Haram: Donate to Us Directly, Abuja  IDPs Appeal to Individuals, Organisation 

By Senator Iroegbu and  Nosa Enobhayisobo in Abuja

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to spirited individuals and organisations planning to contribute towards their well-being to deal directly with them rather than going through questionable Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that may not have their best interest at heart.

This following stories of starvation and hunger in various IDP Camps despite billions of naira worth of gifts and cash donated for their upkeep.

The IDPs made this request yesterday, when the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), as part of the activities put in place to provide succour to the poor and ensure the well-being of the displaced persons, gave food items worth thousands to the New Kuchingoro Camp in Abuja.

According to the Chairman of the IDPs, Mr.  Philemon Emmanuel, they had been surviving since their relocation from the North Eastern states following the activities of the Boko Haram Terrorists in 2014 to the camp, on the goodwill of some genuine NGOs, spirited individuals, and faith-based organisations amongst others.

“We have been here since 2014, we are 1467 persons from Borno State, Kozar local government area and 56 from Adamawa. And we have been surviving because of the help of some churches, organisation, mosques and private individuals.

“We hear many times that people have donated items to assist IDPs in Abuja but don’t get to see the donations. Recently, we heard that Dangote donated items worth millions of Naira to IDPs in Abuja but we are yet to receive the items. We however want to appeal that if some people want to help they should come through the IDPs camp so we can get the assistance directly,” Emmanuel remarked.

He lamented that the federal government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had promised to erect befitting structures, only to default several months later on the ground that the IDP camps were not captured in Abuja master plan.

He said that “since October 2014, NEMA has promised to build schools, hospitals for us but till date non have been done”.

Emmanuel disclosed that the Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawan, had “promised to bring 1000 wrappers for the women but up till now we have not heard from him”.

He equally accused the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara,  “for failing to provide the 1000 wrappers he promised the women in the camp”, adding that “the inability to fulfill the promise had led to accusations that some officials of the camp collected and diverted the wrappers”.

In the same vein, the Director of School Without Walls, Kuchingoro Study Center, Pastor Sanwo Olantunje David, admitted that ” no measures has been put in place to ensure quality education of IDPs”

David also said that schooling for the IDPs children who were seen taking classes under the tree, was introduced by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Life builder initiative education for school integration.

Earlier, the Chairman, NIM Planning Committee for the IDPs, Mr. Sanio Ala-Obarie, said that the donations was part of their duty to ensure that the displaced persons are in good health.

Ala-Obarie said that the visit was to identify with the IDPs and contribute a token to help in alleviating their deplorable condition.

He said “basically, we are just here to contribute as a pro institute. We are aware of the deplorable condition as result of the Boko Haram insurgent in their state”.

He also called on the government, NGOs and private organization to follow the lead in ensuring that IDPs are well catered for.