In a move to address the pressing issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Niger State, Governor Mohammed Bago announced the establishment of the Niger State Refugees Commission. Expressing deep concern over the substantial number of IDPs in the region, Governor Bago unveiled a substantial take-off grant of N500 million to support these individuals.
The governor made this groundbreaking announcement during a gathering in Minna on Monday, where he presented relief materials to 700 households who are beneficiaries of aid from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.
Governor Bago emphasized that the newly established state refugees commission will operate within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, with its primary objective being to effectively address the various challenges and hardships faced by the IDPs in Niger State. He underlined the importance of self-sufficiency, stating, “We are supposed to feed Nigeria, not to be fed, but unfortunately, this is where we find ourselves.”
This initiative comes in response to the dire situation in Niger State, as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported an estimated 300,000 IDPs in the state as of July 20, 2023. Governor Bago’s actions reflect a significant step forward in tackling this humanitarian crisis and providing much-needed support to those affected.
