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 characterized 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 galvanized 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 Nigeria’s neighbours or neighbouring countries in Africa.
Over N80billion was raised across the country 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 widow’s mite to his administration’s 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 administration’s determination to end terrorism in the country, saying “The administration would not rest on its oars until the terrorists are completely routed and wiped out of the country.
Nevertheless, the President deserves 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.
• Uhara, an Activist and Public Affairs Commentator, wrote in from Abuja.