Pay attention to Edo IDPs education, Gwoza Elite Forum begs Zulum
By Deborah Coker
The Gwoza Elite Forum of Borno has appealed to Gov. Babagana Zulum to pay attention to the education of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Borno, taking shelter in the Home for the Needy camp in Edo.
The group led by its President, Dr Emmanuel Ibrahim, made the appeal on Thursday, when they visited the camp in Uhogua, near Benin, to identify and encourage the IDPs.
Ibrahim noted that the call on the governor was imperative as available statistics from the management of the camp showed that there were more than 200 IDPs of Borno origin, presently in various schools.
He said their school fees needed to be paid, and that there was a need for the Borno Government to make an impact on their lives by funding their education.
He said that the educational exploit of the students was the evidence of care extended to the IDPs by the management of the camp.
“We are aware that recently one of our own earned a First Class Honours Degree in Chemical Engineering and he is an IDP in this camp.
“Another student made a Second Class Upper Division Honours and was the best graduating student in Law; he is also in this camp.
“We are aware that the governor of our dear state is doing a lot in different places, but we also want him to impact the education of those here, especially those in the university,” he said.
He appreciated the Edo Government and the people for the safety and protection of the IDPs, while also commending the management of the camp for the sacrifice, commitment and resoluteness to give the IDPs’ sense of belonging, through education.
“The importance of education cannot be overemphasised and your commitment to bequeath that to not just the Borno IDPs here, but others from other states, cannot be quantified.
“We want the government to know that it is a good thing that is happening here and the education of these IDPs from our state will be beneficial to our state in particular and the nation at large.
“Pastor the entire Gwoza Educated Elite are now part of Home for the Needy Foundation and will continue to support you in whatever capacity we can and we hope our governor will too,” Ibrahim added.
Coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, while responding, appreciated the group for their visit and encouragement.
Folorunsho listed the challenges they faced in the camp to include feeding, educational materials for the IDPs, drugs and other medical needs.
He described the funding of the education of those in the tertiary institutions as the most challenging.
Folorunsho, therefore appealed for assistance in those regards and pledged that the management of the camp would continue to do their best for IDPs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that food items were presented to the management of the camp, while an appreciation card was presented to the coordinator for his goodwill. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
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