By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of State Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, has disclosed that the Ministry will commence provision of a holistic approach in addressing Humanitarian and Poverty challenges Nigerians are facing.
Sununu made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Josephine Piyo.
He said the Ministry is proposing to establish a strong Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in 2025.
“Presently, every state is handling Humanitarian issues in different ways and there is a need to have a coordinated approach. The only way is to have a Council that will draft a policy that will carry everybody along for every one to have a sense of belonging”, he said.
According to the minister, Plateau state is one of the states that have suffered numerous crises and displacement of people and there is need for the State government to establish a State arm of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to coordinate the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction issues in the state.
Dr. Sununu explained to the deputy governor that he was on an advocacy visit to establish a good working relationship between the Ministry and the State Government.
And also to provide relief materials to IDPs as well as flag off harvest of Renewed Hope Agricultural Empowerment Project for IDPs, Sununu said.
“There is a need for collaboration between the Ministry, State Governments and International Partners to pull resources together to impact the Lives of the Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, and vulnerable individuals of concern.”
The minister further thanked the state government for providing 200 hectares of land for the training of farmers to improve their skills, under the ARIC project sponsored by the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI.
“It will serve as a stop gap, as the IDPs are being disengaged and resettled in their communities, they have skills and what they can rely on, the minister stated.
Meanwhile, Sununu has disclosed that the Ministry will embark on three projects starting in January 2025 aimed at empowering millions of Nigerians in areas that include Agricultural innovation such as green farming.
Other projects include Automobile Maintenance to train youths who will be given starter packs and Renewable Energy where Nigerians will be trained on solar installations and other solar businesses.
He called for the support of the Plateau government towards achieving the projects in the state.
The Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang who was represented by the Deputy Governor Her Excellency, Josephine Piyo, appreciated Mr President and his wife for showing care and love for vulnerable citizens in the country.
