Iara Oshiomhole visits IDPs in Benin

Much needed relief came the way of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Uhogua near Benin City, when the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, visited their camp and donated the sum of N2 million on behalf of the state government for their upkeep.
Apart from the cash, Mrs Oshiomhole also presented clothes, footwear, books, toiletries and others   materials running into millions of naira.

She said the state would do everything possible to make life as comfortable as possible for persons in the camp. She said the visit to the camp which was a follow-up to an earlier one was an expression of the fact that “the government and people of Edo State are ready to make you as comfortable as possible”. She did not stop there.
“We are fully aware of the circumstances that made you to leave your homes and we are sure that in a very short time, peace will return to every part of Nigeria. Let me emphasise that you are at home anywhere in Nigeria. We are planning to come back so that we can have a party together and know more about each other.
“Edo State has promised to provide an enabling environment that will enhance your education and general well-being. Towards that end, I am here today with some of the regular requirements for your well-being. While we understand that nothing can be provided as adequate replacement for the comfort of your homes, it is our resolve to ensure that you have all that can humanly be made available.
“Today, every person in this camp will have pairs of changeable clothes, foot wear, books and household basic toiletries such as soap.

Skills acquisition
Let me use this opportunity to encourage you once again to take advantage of the warmth and facilities provided by the people and government of Edo State to enhance your opportunities in this great country. Prepare yourselves for the future through the skills acquisition and education.
“I promise to do everything possible to make your life easier here. On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I will like to donate the sum of N2 milllion for the upkeep of the camp. Please, let the children all habe the right sizes of clothes, so that the next time we come here, they will all have the right clothes on and they will be like every other kid out there, so nobody will ever know that they are in a camp,” she said.
Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Endurance Odubu, also had this to say: “We have come with our Mummy to show our love and concern.
Her coming shows the extent to which she loves you. I want to encourage you not to see what has happened to you as a setback. Don’t fold your hands, you can still be what you want to be, only be focused, determined and work hard”.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Mrs. Lucy Omagbon, thanked the wife of the Governor for her kind expression of love to the IDPs which she noted was a fulfillment of the promise she had earlier made to them few weeks back.
She said: “We are happy to have the First Lady, our Mummy in this place today. We are so glad for her show of love and mother hood. She did say the last time that these children are her own and she has demonstrated it by bringing succour to you today.”
Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Coordinator of the IDPs Camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho thanked the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole for her care and concern for the internally displaced persons.
He also conveyed the appreciation of the children to her for her earlier visit which he noted now made it easier for them to sleep well and live comfortably.