Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion to the victims of attacks in Benue State to cushion the effects of their sufferings.

Mrs. Tinubu made the donation yesterday when she visited Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to commiserate with the government and people over the recent attacks in the state.

She called for an immediate end to the insecurity in the state, emphasising the importance of peace and dialogue in addressing the violence that has affected the state for over a decade.

She also called for unity and solidarity among the people to combat the senseless killings that have continued to occur despite spirited efforts to nip it in the bud.

She pledged continued support to those in need, particularly children, girls and People With Disabilities (PWDs).

Reflecting on the conditions of the IDPs, she said: ?We are here today to reflect on the life of the world and the state of humanity. What is most worrisome is that many people are living in conditions so harsh that they can only be described as hellish. Yet, these people are human beings like us.

?When faith is lost, when family bonds are broken, when life no longer carries the hope it once did, everything changes. Every society must decide what it will serve because no nation can serve two masters.?

There must be a choice between what builds and what destroys, between people and the structures that either uplift or oppress them.

?Today, I decided to come because I feel that much of the light has dimmed. The weight of silence is heavy, but conversations like this bring hope.

?Nigeria is a nation of deep complexity. Ethnicity, religion and culture all have their place, but they must not become walls between us. They should instead be bridges of understanding.

?And now, we are in a time, in a world, where we must decide what we are preparing for. Will it be a future shaped by division, or one built on compassion, dialogue and shared humanity?

?The government will not rest on its oars in fighting insurgency in the country, especially Benue, which is the food basket of the nation.

?We cannot afford to allow farmers to stay away from their farms, but through peace and dialogue, the state will bounce back through God.?

Speaking, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Professor James Ayatse called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against terror networks operating in Benue and Nasarawa states.

He emphasised the need for reconstruction of destroyed communities and compensation to victims of the attacks.

The Tor Tiv urged the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule to flush out Fulani marauders, who he said use the Nasarawa border communities to launch attacks on Benue State.

Prof. Ayatse stated again that the attacks were not communal clashes but calculated genocidal and unprovoked attacks on Benue communities.

He further called on the Federal Government and security agencies to bring to book the terrorist herders and their sponsors, asking why the Nasarawa State Government would continue to blame those who are raising pertinent questions that borders on national security.

He appreciated the First Lady for finding time out of her tight schedule to pay the state a condolence visit saying, ?Your visit has not only shown that you care for Benue, your over 270 slots for economic empowerments for women and other support you have sent to the state under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a testament that you care in deed.?

While welcoming the First Lady, Governor Hyacinth Alia appreciated her for her motherly care in identifying with Benue State at this troubling and turbulent time.

Governor Alia reiterated his call for the establishment of a state police and a national policy on ranching to address the insecurity caused by herders.

He commended Senator Tinubu for her visit and commitment to national solidarity in the face of the ongoing crisis affecting over 1.5 million displaced persons in Benue State.

He said: ?Through your Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), you have carried all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory along. And here in Benue, the impact has been profound and far-reaching.

He named the multiple interventions Benue had benefited from to include N500,000 each to 20 women farmers in Benue State, financial and medical outreach packages for the elderly during the Christmas season, N50,000 recapitalisation grants to 1,000 petty traders.

He also named ?A full truck of assorted food items and another of rice for IDPs, orphanage homes, widows and persons living with disabilities, provision of unity fabrics, to promote inclusivity and identity, agricultural empowerment of 250 women and youth, SDG/RHI donation of freezers, grinding machines, generators and gas cookers to 500 beneficiaries, among others.

Alia, who noted that it was time for Nigeria to embrace state police as a practical and necessary step towards securing lives, property and peace across the nation also appealed to the first lady to advocate for the domestication of anti-open grazing law in the North Central region.

?I humbly appeal to Her Excellency to consider championing the process of encouraging the domestication of Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law across all North Central states. A regional approach to ranching and the prohibition of open grazing will ensure consistency in enforcement and eliminate safe havens for violators moving across state boundaries,? he added. (Daily Sun)

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