The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has provided food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
During the donation at the Abagana IDP camp in Makurdi, the union’s National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed their intention to show compassion to the Benue IDPs.
The president, who was represented by the National Resource Person, Professor Ralpy Ofokwu, said the donation was a national programme embarked upon by the union, noting that the same programme was going on simultaneously across the country.
The president said, “The purpose of our visit today is to show the kindness of ASUU, the kindness that ASUU has been fighting for the upliftment of the masses.
“One of it is what we are doing throughout the country. As we are here in Abagana camp, ASUU is also in Niger, Gombe, and other places, giving this to those who are marginalised, especially at this time of excruciating poverty, time our people are suffering from fuel subsidy removal and a time when people at the camp have nothing to eat.
“That is why we have come with a total number of 1,246 bags of assorted food items, including rice, beans, groundnut oil and other ingredients. We have also brought cartons of sanitary towels for the use of women in the camp,” he said.
While appreciating the state government’s guidance and care for the IDPs, Professor Osodeke called on the Federal Government to secure communities across the country to enable the displaced persons to return to their homes.
On her part, the immediate past National Welfare Officer of ASUU, Professor Stella-Maris Okey, expressed sadness over the number and conditions of the IDPs, especially pregnant women and children, saying the situation calls for urgent action.
The Executive Secretary of State Emergency and Management Agency, James Iorpuu, represented by the Programme Manager, James Iorhuna, appreciated ASUU’s kind gesture.
He noted that despite not having salaries for over eight months, the union put monies together for the donations.
