The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has donated foodstuffs and other items to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Benue State, saying it was to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Making the donations at Abagana IDP camp in Makurdi, on Tuesday, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the gesture was going on simultaneously in IDP camps across the country.
Osodeke, who was represented by the ASUU National Resource Person, Prof. Ralpy Ofokwu, said the gesture was part of ASUU’s national initiative to reach out to vulnerable citizens impacted by the economic hardship arising from fuel subsidy removal.
He said: “The purpose of our visit today is to show the kindness of ASUU, the kindness that ASUU has been fighting for the upliftment of the masses.
“One of them is what we are doing throughout the country. As we are here in Abagana camp, ASUU is also in Niger, Gombe and other places, giving this to those who are marginalised, especially at this time of excruciating poverty, time our people are suffering from fuel subsidy removal and a time when people at the camp have nothing to eat.
“That is why we have come with a total number of 1,246 bags of assorted food items, including rice, beans, groundnut oil and other ingredients. We have also brought cartons of sanitary towels for the use of women in the camp.”
ASUU called on the Federal Government to secure communities not only in Benue State but across the country to enable the displaced persons to return to their homes.
The immediate-past National Welfare Officer of ASUU, Professor Stella-Maris Okey, expressed sadness over the number and conditions of the IDPs, especially pregnant women and children.
“It’s so sad, in a country that has so much money. We know what our leaders and senators are taking home. What stops the government from providing security for them to go back (home)? Staying here, we are encouraging people to mass reproduce.
“Looking at the number of children, pregnant young ladies in the camp; it is so unfortunate that a country referred to as the Giant of Africa has these kinds of serious challenges. So, I am calling on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the suffering masses and assist us,” she said.