News
Benue Plans Closure of Some IDP Camps as Displaced Residents Return Home
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has announced plans to close some Internally Displaced Persons camps in the state following an improvement in the security situation that has enabled displaced residents to return to their communities.
Alia disclosed this during a media interaction with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The team is in Benue to inspect completed and ongoing Federal Government and state infrastructure projects across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The governor said improved security, supported by intervention from the Federal Government, had created relative peace in some parts of the state, allowing displaced residents to voluntarily return home and resume farming.
According to him, the government is monitoring security developments through security agencies deployed across the local government areas, traditional institutions and residents who provide information on developments within their communities.
Alia recalled that 15 IDP camps were established across Benue following attacks that forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.
He said the improving security situation was gradually changing the circumstances that led to the establishment of the camps.
“We are already making some plans to close down some because the IDP occupants have voluntarily gone back to do their farming,” the governor said.
Alia, however, stressed that the government was seeking a sustainable solution to displacement rather than simply encouraging residents to return to areas where their safety could not be guaranteed.
He said the state was working with international partners, including the United Nations and the International Organisation for Migration, to support the return and reintegration of displaced persons.
According to the governor, the objective is to ensure that displaced residents can return to their ancestral communities and remain there safely without being forced to flee again.
“We don’t just want to return them to their farms and have them flee again,” Alia said, stressing the need to create conditions that would allow returnees to rebuild their lives in safety.
The governor said the declining population of some IDP camps was a positive development, noting that some returnees had resumed farming while others had begun rebuilding their homes.
He said the developments were signs of growing confidence among displaced residents that conditions in their communities were improving.
The proposed closure of some camps, however, is expected to depend on continued security improvements and the ability of returning residents to safely access their homes, farms and livelihoods.
Nigeria Insight will continue to monitor developments around the planned return of displaced Benue residents and the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable resettlement.
The Lagos State Government has arrested a suspected vandal accused of destroying a concrete road barrier along the Mile 12 section of Ikorodu Road.
The suspect was apprehended while allegedly vandalising the road infrastructure, according to the state government.
Authorities said the suspect would be prosecuted for the alleged offence.
The government did not immediately disclose the identity of the suspect or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Road barriers are installed along major roads to regulate traffic movement, protect motorists and pedestrians, and prevent unauthorised access or dangerous manoeuvres.
Their destruction can create additional safety risks for road users, particularly on busy corridors such as Ikorodu Road.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned against the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure, urging residents to report suspicious activities around roads and other government facilities.
The latest arrest is expected to reinforce the government’s position that individuals found damaging public infrastructure will be held accountable.
The Bayelsa State Government has commenced plans to introduce scrabble and chess into secondary schools as part of efforts to strengthen students’ intellectual development and promote mind sports across the state.
The initiative was unveiled during a meeting between officials of the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Education, where both ministries began preparations for the state’s first Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship.
The programme follows a directive by Governor Douye Diri, who announced the initiative during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
Leading the delegation from the Ministry of Sports Development, Commissioner Daniel Igali said discussions focused on developing a practical roadmap for introducing scrabble into secondary schools across Bayelsa.
The ministries also considered incorporating chess into the programme to help students improve critical thinking, problem-solving, concentration and other cognitive skills.
Igali said the initiative would adopt a train-the-trainer model, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council training selected teachers, who would in turn mentor students ahead of the championship.
“Today’s meeting is about developing a clear blueprint for the seamless implementation of His Excellency’s directive. The collaboration establishes a comprehensive roadmap that guarantees the smooth execution of that mandate,” Igali said.
He expressed confidence that the programme would help Bayelsa produce future national and international champions in scrabble and chess.
Commissioner for Education Gentle Emelah praised the Ministry of Sports Development for moving quickly to implement the governor’s directive.
According to him, Bayelsa has already built a strong reputation in school sports through its performances in national secondary school basketball competitions, adding that the introduction of intellectual sports would further enhance the state’s profile.
“Bayelsa has become a household name in Nigerian school sports, and this initiative will further strengthen our reputation for producing outstanding young talents,” Emelah said.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Education and Sports Development, senior officials of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, and the Governor’s Technical Adviser on Information and Strategic Communications.
The initiative is expected to encourage wider participation in intellectual sports while helping students develop strategic thinking, discipline and academic confidence.
The Federal Government has appointed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to lead its delegation to the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NIDEC) holding in Toronto, Canada.
The three-day conference, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is scheduled to commence on Wednesday and is expected to bring together Nigerians in the diaspora, investors, business leaders, policymakers, and government officials to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its citizens living abroad.
According to a statement by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the decision to send a high-level delegation reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to deepening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada.
Ministers, Governors Join Delegation
The delegation includes several senior government officials, among them:
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Also expected to participate are the governors of:
Anambra State – Charles Soludo
Borno State – Babagana Zulum
Kaduna State – Uba Sani
Plateau State – Caleb Mutfwang
Zamfara State – Dauda Lawal
Organisers say the conference is designed to encourage greater diaspora participation in Nigeria’s economic development by promoting investment opportunities across key sectors and fostering stronger partnerships between the government, private sector, and Nigerians living abroad.
The event is also expected to provide a platform for discussions on policies that can improve investment flows, strengthen business collaboration, and leverage the expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora for national development.
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