By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
A United States (U.S)-based cleric, Rev. Fr. Steven Daniel, has donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Yelwata town, Benue State.
Following the bloodfest in the State, the IDPs are presently accommodated at the UltraModern International Market, Makurdi, the state capital.
The donation was made through Rev. Fr. Mfa Ukeyima Solomon, fondly dubbed Humanitarian Father, who handed out vital food items to support the displaced population.
Yelwata is the community where armed killer herdsmen massacred no less than 200 persons, mainly IDPs, recently–a development which sparked international and national uproar, prompting President Bola Tinubu to pay a visit to the State and hold a security town hall meeting with stakeholders.
Rev. Fr. Solomon also offered them words of encouragement and oversaw the equitable distribution of the donated items.
The cleric, during the visit, interacted with the displaced families and provided moral and spiritual support to them, to ease their emotional trauma.
Rev. Fr. Solomon appreciated the leadership of Benue State Management Agency (BSEMA) for what he described as their tireless efforts in safeguarding the welfare of displaced persons across the state and emphasized the steadfast leadership of Dr. James Iorpuu Aondoakaa, whose commitment has significantly enhanced coordination and support for IDPs.
The cleric offered prayers for God’s protection on the displaced families and expressed confidence that they would soon go back to their ancestral homes.
The BSEMA team, led by Mr. Robert Nyom, was on ground to receive the relief materials and supervise the distribution exercise.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Aondoakaa, who is the Permanent Secretary of State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and BSEMA boss, Mr. Nyom expressed profound appreciation to Rev. Fr. Daniel and Rev. Fr. Solomon for their thoughtful intervention.
He explained joy that the items were distributed IDP block by block in a transparent, impartial, and well-organized manner, ensuring that every household received fair support.
The BSEMA representative further appreciated Rev. Fr. Solomon for his unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes, describing him as a shining example of selflessness and a personality whose actions reflect true servant leadership.
