By Abasi Ita
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has pleaded with the Nigerian military to step up efforts tailored towards curtailing the disturbing security challenges revaging most parts of the country with a view of checkmating the already worsening humanitarian crisis rattling the federal government.
Dr. Betta Edu stated this when she led her management team on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja,the Federal Capital
She informed the CDS that the visit was intended to explore viable options for robust partnership between the two agencies noting that such collaboration was needed to effectively manage the alarming rate of humanitarian challenges inherited by President Bola Tinubu.
In her words;”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to preventing and mitigating any humanitarian crisis while responding to present issues appropriately, thus the need to improve security and reduce poverty”
The Minister opined that “insecurity increases humanitarian crises and poverty, there is a need for collaboration between our Ministry and the Military to prevent, mitigate, and reintegrate those affected back into the society”
The Humanitarian Minister solicited military assistance for the protection of aide workers to guarantee delivery of humanitarian assistance to persons affected by natural disasters or crises around the country, while also ensuring protection of disaster victims from neighboring African countries currently taking refuge within Nigerian territory.
She hinted of plans by the Ministry; “To expand our social register and social database to accommodate military persons who are either affected by war and injured or even killed, leaving their families behind.
“We need these data from the military to capture them under the Social Register so they can benefit from poverty alleviation programmes while touching lives in their millions. The President’s target is to see that Nigerians are brought out of humanitarian crises and poverty in Nigeria”, she said.
Responding ,the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa expressed delight over the visit noting that the gesture demonstrate the readiness of the Minister to build effective partnership with key stakeholders to ensure optimum service delivery
The Defense Boss attributed the high index of criminal activities to poverty which he explained, has given rise to other vices bedeviling the country but expressed optimism emphasized that; “Once the Ministry succeeds in tackling poverty, the huge burden on the military with regard to battling internal security challenges would have been addressed, to makes our job easier and better”
“We assure the Minister of all the support she needs, wherever they want to go, and whatever the logistics that need to be done, we are going to provide that.
“We are also happy that the Barrack community will also be considered, which is critical. The troupes’ morale will be high knowing that in case of any emergency, their families will also be considered in the poverty alleviation programmes. I can assure you we will give you all the support and work together to achieve success, “
High point of the visit featured an exchange of souvenirs, inspections, and group photographs