The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated N26 million to the Plateau State Government to assist children affected by armed conflict in the region. The cheque was presented by Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS, during a workshop focused on the Humanitarian, Development, and Peace (HDP) Nexus, held in Jos, the state capital.
Dr. Ugbe stated that the funds would provide essential educational materials and school fees to help restore learning opportunities for affected children. The donation also includes nutritional food items and essential household goods aimed at supporting families in rebuilding their lives.
She called for international collaboration to empower local communities, highlighting the importance of viewing them as partners in shaping their futures rather than just recipients of aid.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, praised ECOWAS for its unwavering commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance in Nigeria, noting the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
Julie Sanda, the Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing humanitarian needs and reported that over 31,000 households have been displaced due to conflict in the region. She noted challenges posed by banditry in ancestral lands, complicating the prospects for safe return for displaced persons.
The Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Arc Samuel Jatau, assured that the state government would implement the recommendations from a fact-finding committee to help mitigate ongoing violence in rural communities.
