Northern governors’ wives donate to displaced persons in Borno

THE wives of 19 Northern Governors’ Forum (WNGF) Tuesday paid a “sympathy and condolence” visit on Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and its citizens with the presentation of relief materials of N40 million to Boko Haram victims being resettled by state government in various camps in Maiduguri metropolis.

  Speaking at the Council Chambers of Government House, Maiduguri, Chairperson of WNGF, Mrs. Doshima Yemisi Suswam said that the N40 million was part of what the forum realized after it launched its Almanac in November last year.

  Her words: “You’re Excellency Sir, this cash donation to the Internally Displaced Persons in the camps was used to purchase assorted bags of rice, beans, spaghetti, salt among others items to cushion the devastating effects of insurgency in their respective towns and villages. 

  The same gesture, which Benue and Borno states have benefited would be extended to Nassarawa, Plateau and other states that suffered from violence in the North.

   She said that the activities of Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of Northern Nigeria has inflicted serious casualties on the lives of the citizenry with property worth billions of naira destroyed.

  Doshima, however noted: “The issue of the over 200 Chibok girls who were abducted in their schools on April 14, 2014, is very traumatic and terrifying for us parents that do not want our children and wards to undergo such humiliations and loss of dignity to womanhood in the hands of insurgents.  

  WNGF, which is none – partisan forum, will continue to work in the collective interest of its people; to support victims of insurgency, particularly widows and orphans and the tens of thousands of displaced persons; so they could get a sense of belonging.

  She said that Borno State, which suffers a very devastating destruction as a result of the Boko Haram violence, requires support from all and sundry and therefore, called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to come to the aid of victims of insurgency.

  Doshima listed the categories of Boko Haram victims to include, widows, widowers and orphans in the North East sub-region of the country.

  While commending the efforts put in place by the governor in managing the crisis, she prayed God to restore peace not only in the state, but also in the country at large.

  She also pleaded with the Boko Haram sect and their sponsors, to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue with the Federal Government.

  The Chairperson was accompanied by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajiya Halima Wada, Nassarawa, Hajiya Salamatu Almakura, Adamawa, and Mrs. Hanatu Bala Ngilari.

  Others were Hajiya Jamila Sani of Taraba State, Hajiya Fatima Yero of Kaduna State and Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.

  Responding, Shettima thanked the Chairperson of the forum and other members for the visit and their support to the victims of Boko  Haram in the state.

  The governor said that with sustained prayers and support, the issue of insurgency  would soon come to an end and state would move  forward.