By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has called for collaboration with the Nigerian military in the management of humanitarian crises in the country.
Edu made this request on Monday when she paid a visit on the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher G. Musa at the Defense Headquarters, in Abuja .
Edu disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to preventing and mitigating humanitarian crises, hence the need to improve security and reduce poverty in the country.
According to the Minister, Insecurity increases humanitarian crises and poverty, adding that there is a need for collaboration between her Ministry and the Military to prevent, mitigate, and reintegrate those affected back into the society.
She also called for military support for humanitarian workers who provide services to individuals affected by the humanitarian crisis and to protect displaced individuals and refugees across the country.
Meanwhile, Edu disclosed the inclusion of military people in the social welfare system.
She said, “We also want to expand our social register and social database to accommodate military persons that are either affected by war and injured or even killed, leaving their families behind.”
“We require these data from the military to capture them under the social register, so they can benefit from poverty alleviation programmes which touch millions of lives.
The President’s target is to see that Nigerians are brought out of humanitarian crises and poverty in Nigeria, ” she said.
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher G. Musa, said there is always a link between poverty and crime, and the military believes that once the Ministry succeeds, it makes their job easier and better.
“We assure the Minister of all the support she needs, wherever they want to go, and whatever the logistics that need to be done, we are going to provide that.”
” We are also happy that the barrack community will also be considered, which is critical. The troops’ morale will be high knowing that in case of any emergency, their families will also be considered in the poverty alleviation programs.”
I can assure you we will give you all the support and work together to achieve success, General Musa stated.
