By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, has commended the Benue state government for accommodating refugees from Cameroon at Ikyogen, Kwande local government area of the state.
The recommendation was made when a delegation of UNHCR led by the head of its Ogoja sub-office, Ms. Irene Omendi paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Hyacinth Alia as part of their working visit to the state Friday at the Government House, Makurdi.
Ms Irene Omendi, appreciated the Benue State government for welcoming the delegation to the state, and especially for allowing refugees of Cameroon descent to settle in the Ikyogen, Kwande local government area of the state.
She said the hospitality the state government has granted the refugees and the peaceful coexistence noticeable between the locals and refugees needs commendation.
While also commending the Gov. Alia-led administration for its efforts at returning the IDPs in the state to their ancestral homes, Ms Omendi called for more support for the IDPs through the provision of schools, hospitals and other basic amenities, assuring of her organization’s continued support, including in the area of capacity building.
She said, “Because of the hospitality accorded the refugees by the state government, the UNHRC has decided to donate 10 Oxygen Concentrators at Abande, Ikyogen as well as at St. Monica’s Hospital Adikpo, as medical intervention to the people of the area”.
Responding, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, assured of his administration’s commitment towards tackling issues threatening peaceful coexistence and harmony in the state.
He thanked the United Nations for always offering help, restoring hope to the hopeless, giving respite to the traumatized, providing shelter to the homeless, and helping to build a better future for those who have lost their livelihoods as a result of the crisis.
“You have not only been saving lives but have been ensuring that the rights and the human dignity of those being violated, persecuted or subjected to violence get respite. You find for them respect and safety that their people or authorities sometimes deny them. Above all, you build for them a better future away from their original homes, thus bringing meaning and happiness into their lives again,” the governor stated.
While reiterating his administration’s resolve to return the internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes, the governor assured the group of his government’s genuine commitment to having a robust engagement that will usher in practical pathways to solving the multiple issues bedevilling peace and harmony in the state.
He appreciated the UNHCR for donating 10 Oxygen Concentrators to the state, saying the gesture would certainly go a long way in helping the government to improve its healthcare delivery services to Benue people.
