YOLA/By Tom Garba – The Nigerian Army Tuesday distributed a consignment of educational instructional materials to both teachers and students at the Malkohi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Yola, Adamawa state.
The Brigade Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Muhammed handed over the donations which include, exercise books, text books, pencils, biros, footwear, among other items to the camp in Yola.
According to General Muhammed, “The foresight of the chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai in the support of the Internally Displaced Persons especially in the area of education is comparable to none and has gone a long way in making a difference in the life of young children who have forcefully deprived the opportunity to go to school.
“This has gone a long way in touching the lives of people in this part of the country.
“The army considers it an opportunity be part of life touching event in making displaced young boys and girl learn how to read and write,” he said.
Muhammed added that, “The gesture is designed as a part of quick impact project of the Nigerian army meant to give the IDPs a fighting chance in life and an opportunity to compete for progress and success along with other children.”
The presentation of the materials marks the brigade commanders first activity since assuming office late May.
The Adamawa state governor Muhammed Umaru Jibrilla represented by the state commissioner of information and Strategy, Ahmed Sajoh, said, “The government and the people of Adamawa appreciate the gesture of the chief of army staff and that of the brigade commander in lending support to the internally displaced persons in the state.”
The state Commissioner of Information and Strategy said state government and its people owe the Nigerian Army and the entire military a debt of gratitude for their gallantry that has pushed back the insurgency and made it possible for this gathering to hold in peace.
“In the height of the insurgency many of us had packed our bags and were ready to leave.
“Some families lost their lives running out of this state, so the military did not just save lives of those in the battle front but also the lives of those who would have died running.
Sajoh noted that, “the concept of school in IDPs camp was initiated by the Nigerian army, supported by the Nigerian Army, developed by the Nigerian army and actualised by the Nigerian army.”
“Right now, of the 17 instructors in the IDPs camp, 10 of them are men of the Nigerian army,” Sajoh said.
The state government have noted that some of the children would not have had access to education but for the intervention of the military in providing education in IDPs camp.
Sajoh however said, “The Adamawa state government is committed to closing all IDPs camps in the state.
“He called on humanitarian organizations to cue into the state government’s agenda of retuning the IDPs to their home and helping them engage in productive ventures and enterprise as the state government has seen it as the most reasonable way forward.
“The government of senator Muhammed Jibrilla is interested in the development of human capacity, so its plan to close IDPs camps is designed to help the people resettle in their local community and empower them to start life again.
“Most of the people in this camp are from Borno state, so we have been interfacing with the Borno state government towards returning them home to a life of dignity and productivity.
“Both Adamawa and Borno state government are committed to a safe and dignified return for our IDPs.”
The state coordinator of NEMA, Saad Abubakar says, “there has been a remarkable progress in the war against insurgency.
“There used to be 9 camps and now there are just three.
“Two formal camps and one camp at the catholic church”
Saad said, “Most of the IDPs in the camp are from Borno and the state government in liaising with its sister state to return them to their local community.
He solicited with the commander to extend their teaching services beyond IDPs camp to into host communities.
The Executive Secretary of the Adamawa state Universal Basic Education, Muhammed Hassan Toungo described the military as great friend of the IDPS and they have been, “one of the greatest supporters of education in the state.”
The representative of the IDPs camp Mr. Nicholas Samuel, appreciate the military for the help.
He said some of the students learnt how to read in the camp. Some of them can now write letters and express themselves in writing.
