By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
In its resolved to provide succour and help those hitherto displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east region, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Peace Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Initiative (PRRI), has donated N10 million to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Executive Secretary of the group, Dr. Sam Ode, made the disclosure yesterday while briefing journalists in his office in Abuja.
He said the gesture was geared towards providing a source of livelihood for the returning families whose communities were ravaged by the insurgents, thus helping them get their lives back.
Ode revealed that aside from the cash donation, over 1,000 farmers would be given improved seedlings to boost food production.
He revealed that: “The group visited Biu local council and gave them the cash of N10million and food stuffs worth over N10million. Other communities also visited were Buratai, Sabon Gari, Kwajafa, Shaffa, and Biu IDP camps where assistance were given to some corporative societies.
“We have resolved to give improved seedlings procured from IITA in Ibadan, Oyo State, to help the farmers boost their yields in the coming years.
“Agriculture is key to the development of any nation and it remains the first line of any action plan to deliver the people from economic hardships. PRRI is keen to see that the returning families are empowered.”
He stated that the NGO has now given over N40 million as part of its philanthropic gesture to the various communities it has visited in the state.
The NGO leader stated that it was quite challenging as no government or individual can completely rebuild what was destroyed by the insurgents, adding that it could be done through concerted efforts of all stakeholders including the displaced persons.
The Executive Secretary noted that the PRRI team would be moving to Yobe and Adamawa States where the team has identified some villages and the inhabitants who have fully returned home as a result of military operations which have restored normalcy to the area.
