Unlike in the northeast, Edo IDPs enjoy healthy living

Before the entrance of the International Christian Centre (ICC) located near a forest in Uhoghua community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State are some security personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police, Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) and Department of State Security (DSS), searching visitors before allowing them entry into the vast compound.

Inside the camp, the inmates wore joyful looks unlike June last year when The Guardian first reported the discovery of the camp.
While reports emanating from the other IDPs camps, especially in the North-East indicate very deplorable conditions, following alleged diversion of their food items, the situation is different in Edo as the inmates are part of the day-to-day running of the camp.

Speaking to The Guardian, Andaras Keturas, an indigene of Gwoza Local Council of Borno State and a secondary school student commended the management of the camp.

She said: “We were just helpless, but God helped us and we found our way here. Now we are schooling and eating, we thank God for that. I am in SS 1. I am enjoying the place and we are fine. My father died during the insurgents’ attack on us. My mother is in Maiduguri. I am here with my sister and I pray that God will help them. I will like to travel to see my mother during the holidays and come back during resumption.”
Another IDP, Philemon Emmanuel said some of his family members are in Cameroun, but himself and three others are in Edo camp

“I am enjoying this place, I like the place. During the crisis, I ran to Nigeria but they ran across the border to Cameroun. I have heard from them, they are in Cameroun. We are four brothers that are here. Some of my other brothers are in Maiduguri and Cameroun.

“We have just finished writing our second test. I like the way they teach us here. I wish to go and visit my people because since the insurgency erupted, we have not seen. I will like to go and visit them and come back here to continue my education.’

Manager of the Centre, Pastro Folorunsho Solomon said there have not been any case of diversion of food or items meant for the IDPs. “Actually, I was saddened when I read the report in the media that some of the food items meant for the IDPs are being diverted. We just feel that people who got involved in this act should desist immediately. I just can’t imagine if they are human beings. Like here, let me first of all inform you, I spent my money and money of the church in the tune of over N300 million to support the IDPs before anybody ever knew what we were doing.

“When the insurgency erupted and there was a lot of IDPs, we saw their sufferings and decided to open our doors to accommodate them. We took care of them with our money, until we ran out of money. It was then that people discovered what we are doing and decided to lend helping hands to the IDPs.

“Well, seeing where we are coming from, we have an open system that is very transparent one. When people donate items here all the IDPs are involved. They are the ones to receive these things. They are the ones involved in the distributions. They are the ones who count them. Everything here is all for them. You can see it. They know where it is kept. Everything is for them,’ Solomon said.

He continued: “The only thing we do here is that some of the staff do not have work and as they come to help, we normally give them something in appreciation of the work they are doing. How much am I going to make from the lives of people who need help and are suffering? What is that going to benefit me? I am an International preacher. I go to places. I do my work and I have travelled abroad and I know what it means.

“The state government has completed the building of eight classroom blocks with furniture and borehole waiting for commissioning. The state government also promised to build hostel facilities for the people.”

Solomon also informed The Guardian that no death has been recorded in the camp since the Boko Haram victims arrived because the camp has been receiving medical support from the Red Cross, some private medical interests, University of Benin Teaching Hospital and others.

“No, we have not recorded any deaths here. What we do is that everybody knows everybody. We have a system where there is a leader for every group. Once a child is sick, we have an employed nurse. And we have a medical team. What happened is that when somebody is sick they quickly intervene. If it is something that is beyond them we quickly rush them to the hospital. UBTH is close to us here. We rush them there. There is a private hospital ‘Christway Mediplex Hospital along Sapele Road. That man for more than one year has made his hospital available for these IDPs free of charge. I tell you, he deserves a national award.

“The man offers all the IDPs free treatment. Once in a month, he brings foodstuff for them. He brings rice, beans and yam. So, he has been helping.” He said the camp currently has 2,512 occupants and that is telling on available food for them. They cook not less than 13 bags of rice per meal and not less than five bags of garri per meal.

“A normal day starts from 6.00 am when the inmates wake up and do their individual prayers and then clean up the entire compound while those in the kitchen prepare food which is normally served in groups and then they go to school.

“Lunch is prepared and thereafter they come out for recreation ranging from football, volleyball, athletics and other sports.”The Guardian observed that there are facilities for IDPs’ vocational training. Toilets also need to be increased as it was observed that the available ones are not sufficient. A special school has also been opened for the elderly who have never been to school and have become interested in learning.