By Edwin Ekene Uhara
The recent inauguration of Victim Support Funds Committee headed by
General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) by President Good Luck Jonathan is a
welcomed development!
While speaking in separate audiences with the Common Wealth
Secretary-General, MrKamalesh Sharma and the Executive Director of United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, the
President said, the money that would be raised would be used in
alleviating the sufferings and deprivations imposed on Nigerians living in
states worst affected by terrorism; the funds will provide more relief and
succour for Boko Haram victims.
Showing how he mean well for the committee and how it will not be tainted
by some of the sharp practices that characterised Presidential Committees
set up by previous administrations for similar purposes in the country,
the President said the money raised will be managed by a Non-Governmental
Organisation (NGO) and for the creation of a safer environment for
education in the affected states.
It is also worthy of note that, the barbaric and inhuman activities of the
Boko Haram insurgency has already galvanised national and international
supports for Nigeria. For example, the Commonwealth Secretary-General told
President Jonathan that, he came to Nigeria to express Common Wealth full
solidarity with Nigeria as it contends with terrorism and to also explore
ways in which the commonwealth could assist Nigeria.
On his part, the Executive Director of (UNFPA), Professor Babatunde
Osotimehin said his organisation is already working with the National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and it civil society partners in
Nigeria to support families and girls in some affected states. He also
expressed hope that, the United Nations will roll-out a comprehensive
programme in support of efforts to deal with the humanitarian crisis
caused by terrorism in the country as well as Nigerias neighbours or
neighbouring countries in Africa.
However, across the country, over N80billion was raised last week at a
fund-raising dinner organised to raise money for insurgency victims in
Abuja.
To prove to the world that, he is a President of all Nigerians no matter
the part they hail from, the President who also acted as the Master of
Ceremony for event in a moving speech which aroused the consciousness of
every one, vehemently condemned the evil acts of terrorisms in the
country.
However, on behalf of the Federal Government, the President donated N10
billion, while the richest man in Africa and Chairman, Dangote Group
donated N1 billion. In the same vein, the Chairman of Zenith Bank PLC, Mr
Jim Ovia donated N1 billion, while the Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike
Adenuga made a donation of N1 billion among other notable Nigerians that
donated huge some at the event.
To ensure that enough fund is raised for the victims of insurgency is the
country live a normal life like other Nigerians, the President asked the
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke and the
Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele to introduce the various
top operators of oil and gas sector as well as bank executives to make
their donations.
The President while also calling on well-meaning Nigerians to contribute
their widows mite to his administrations efforts aimed at providing
succour to the victims of insurgency said: It is a privilege to give to
those in distress as the giver could as well be the victim¦ for those
who have been victims, they need comfort. They need succour. We cannot
replace the life of a child that has been snuffed out. We cannot replace
the lives of men and women who have been killed. We cannot return broken
limbs to their original state. We cannot take away the trauma that people
have been put through.
The memories are scarred; some for the rest of their lives over what
they knew nothing about. The best we can do in this circumstance is to
offer them a shoulder to lean on and to stretch out our hands of
fellowship to them and tell them we feel their pains and share in their
sorrow.
The number one citizen in Nigeria also restated his administrations
determination to end terrorism in the country, saying Theadministration
would not rest on its oars until the terrorists are completely routed and
wiped out of the country.
Nevertheless, the President deserve the commendation of every one for
being a catalyst to efforts that will brink realistic hope to those whose
hope of a better life in this transient world of matter has been
shattered. It is debilitating for a promising young man or woman who toils
through the rain and sun so as be able to eke-out a living, but only to
end up being incapacitated and demoralised by impromptu disability arising
from the reckless acts of misguided compatriots.
Comrade Edwin Ekene Uhara is a Public Affairs Commentator and Member of
PDP Project Reloaded Media Team. He writes From Abuja.
Reach him on 07065862479 or edwinuhara@rocketmail.com