PRRI Changing The Lives Of IDPs In Borno

By Ibrahim Gwamna Mshelizza

The Peace Rehabilitation and Reconcilliation Initiative (PRRI) is an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which was established about six weeks ago by some concerned Nigerians who feel and share the pains of victims of insurgency in the North East.

These Nigerians under the leadership of Dr. Sam Ode former Minister of State for Niger-Delta have put their resources together and purchased some food items for distribution to victims of insurgency especially those living in camps across the North East.

The NGO also plans to train youths in the area in various skills and trades to make them self reliant and employed so they could keep busy and stay out of trouble before and after they return to their communities.

At the flagging off of the food distribution and financial assistance to 250 beneficiaries in Maiduguri last Friday, the Leader of Peace Rehabilitation and Reconcilliation Initiative (PRRI) Dr. Sam Ode disclosed that the sum of 20 million Naira was to be expended in the first phase of the intervention programme by spending 10 Million on cash transfer and another 10 Million naira on foodstuff.

He said," to demonstrate our love and concern for the IDPs in Borno before they return to their communities, these relief materials along with a cash transfer of 10,000 naira each to the displaced persons is the begining of our humanitarian assistance and intervention while they remain in camps before their return to their homes".

"Beside these direct cash transfers to the 1000 IDPs , we are going to train 1000 youths in various skills and trades so that they become self reliant and employed. The training commences in two weeks time" he said.

In his speech at the occasion, the Executive Chairman of State Emèrgency Management Agency (SEMA) Engr. Ahmed Satomi said the flagging off exhibits real commitment and concren to the plight of Borno IDPs in camps.

"Dr. Sam Ode is sharing the pains and trauma suffered by our displaced in camps by donating food items and cash. This humanitarian intervention and assistance have triggered a chain reaction to other NGOs not only in Borno but the entire country".

"PRRI has overcome the challenges of returning 2.4 million IDPs inthe 17 resettlement camps and the host communities in Maiduguri, Bama ,Dikwa, Biu, Monguno and Damboa".

Earlier Dr. Sam Ode had paid a courtesy visit on His Royal Highness the Shehu of Borno , Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi who was visibly elated with the former Ministers call on the palace.

The Shehu had ceased the opportunity to explain that due to the welcoming disposition of the people of Borno they had allowed strangers with dubious characters to settle among them without knowing at time that they were courting disaster.

Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi told the former Minister that although Borno State has borne the brunt of the Boko Haram insurgency those that initiated and led the insurgency were not indigenes of Borno.

Dr. Sam Ode had told the Shehu that he was at the palace to condole him over the loss of lives and property as a result of the insurgency and to also inform him of the mission of PRRI in Borno which was to share the burden and trauma of the Internally displaced persons in the camps.

Ever since the flag off of the intervention programme by the Peace, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Initiative (PRRI) of Dr. Sam Ode and his team, life has not been the same for the IDPs in Borno. Infact his intervention has opened the eyes of the people in Borno State to the fact that love knows no bounds as people from a far off can turnout to be your best friends while your relations are there doing nothing.

Of the 21 Ministers which Borno has produced from 1973 to date in various administrations not even one has shown the concern which Dr. Sam Ode and his team has shown. Infact PRRI and their coordinators have become the talk of town. I will not be surprised if Dr. Sam Ode gets many people bearing his name in the nearest future because it is in our character in Borno to name a child after a person you respect or admire.

PRRI is certainly changing the lives of Borno IDPs for the better.