Senator Dafinone and members of Ewu IDP Camp Committee
*Promises to press on till Okuama is rebuilt, resettled, rehabilitated
By John Emomine
Concerned Urhobo sons and daughters continue to express show of love, solidarity and care for the victims of Okuama Community invasion by the Nigerian military in March, 2024 with donations of food items, clothing and other humanitarian provisions in the Ewu Camp of the displaced persons.
The latest of such gestures was the donation of two live cows, 100 cartoons of indomie noodles, 20 cartons of Soya oils and four bags of Garri by the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone to the displaced persons in the Ewu IDP Camp, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Presenting the relief items to the displaced persons yesterday August 22, 2024, the national lawmaker also used the occasion to appeal to international donor agencies and concerned Nigerians to come to the aid of the Okuama people, stressing that the situation at Okuama is an international humanitarian crisis that calls for a global support to rebuild and resettle the people.
Dafinone who noted that the displaced persons cannot remain in the camp longer than necessary, called on the Federal Government and the Delta State government to immediately commence the process of rebuilding the devastated community, resettle and rehabilitate the indigenes to enable them restart their lives.
“Words reached me about a week ago that they were short of protein, and this visit was to deliver the two cows, 100 cartons of noodles, 20 cartons of Soya oils and four bags of garri. I know this does not solve the problem of the camp. But it is a small contribution towards maintaining the nutrition of the children and adults in the camp and on a larger and wider scale.
“Since my last visit, my office has continued to reach out to the federal government, and international agencies, to see what help can be provided, aids to those at the camp and the rebuilding of Okuama which are the more significant matters that need to be brought to the attention of not only Deltans, but Nigerians and the global community as a whole.
“This is not one visit or one-stop matter as the plight of those that have been displaced must continue to resonate in the public space and the space of concerned Nigerians who seek to help to ensure that they are rehabilitated and then life continues normally as soon as possible”, the Senator assured.
Dafinone also called in the authority of the Nigerian Army to abide by democratic principles in dealings with Okuama leaders who were reportedly arrested this week.
He stressed that the rights of the civilians arrested must be respected, adding that they should not be subjected to any form of abuse, just as he added that they should be brought to civil court to answer any allegations against them.
“There is news that other Okuama indigenes have been detained by the military. We are following up with the military to make sure that they are given their civil rights, and we will be on that as well”, he said, adding that he is hoping to get positive reports soon, and it is part of his assignments to look and care for citizens of Delta Central.
Receiving the items, the Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Camp Management Committee, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, commended Senator Dafinone for standing with the people of Okuama in their trying time, noting Dafinone had been at the forefront in trying to resolve the Okuama crisis.
Ogbodo, the former editor of the Guardian Newspaper, also called on well-meaning individuals and originations to support the ongoing efforts in rebuilding and resettling Okuama people to their ancestral homes.
He said; “Senator, we can’t thank you enough that you are not just coming here for the first time; you have been involved in Okuama matter.
“Right from day one, you have been so central to everything about this Okuama matter, when the king was taken into custody, you and your fellow national legislators were so deep in it.
“You went all the way to ensure things went well, and the most beautiful thing you have said here now is that you are aware that new arrests have been made, and you are on it.
“When you came the other time, you took a study survey of the place and needed to know our needs, and you didn’t come with only 100 cartons of indomie; you came with two live cows, and that is most significant.
“As I have always noted, yes, you are a senator representing Delta Central, representing Urhobo ethnic nationality, but this a humanitarian crisis, and what we are projecting here is humanity that knows no religion, geographical boundaries or politics.
“What we are talking about is to be united in times like this so that we can help ourselves, helping the children of God, and God will use his other children to help children that are in distress, and that is what you come here to do for us.
“For the fact that you are an Urhobo may not be taken for granted because there other Urhobo that may not come in this manner.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to others, not just those that are in the cadre of leadership, but everybody with capacity and of goodwill should respond to this call because the people do not survive to leave here with the body and soul; they would not be able to take possession of their homes.”
In the entourage of the Senator on his visit to the Ewu IDP Camp, is his Chief of Staff Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor and several other APC faithful.
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