By Aloysius Chiahemba, Makurdi
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has marked her 40th birthday by donating livelihood and business support packages to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, North Central Nigeria.
She also awarded scholarships to 40 children in the IDPs camps.
Edu, who chose to celebrate her birthday with displaced persons at the North Bank IDP camp in Makurdi, donated 40 sewing machines, 40 grinding machines, 40 refrigerators and 40 hairdressing equipment sets with accessories to support women and girls in the camp.
She also announced an empowerment programme for persons living with disabilities and other physically challenged persons, as part of efforts to promote self-reliance among vulnerable groups.
The former minister said the intervention was designed not merely as birthday philanthropy but as part of her personal commitment to humanitarian service and her desire to contribute to efforts aimed at finding durable solutions to displacement.
According to her, the ultimate objective was to empower displaced persons with means of livelihood so they could rebuild their lives and eventually return to their ancestral Communities in safety and dignity.
Edu, who said she had previously visited Benue IDP camps in 2023, explained that she decided to return on her 40th birthday to give thanks to God and share the occasion with vulnerable Nigerians.
“I am here to reach out to thousands of people at the IDP camps across Benue State. This is my passion and my dream,” she said.
She added that the intervention included startup funds, business equipment, scholarships and food support for displaced families.
“My dream and goal is to see that they can be empowered and settled,” Edu said, adding that the initiative was also intended to complement the humanitarian efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Edu further disclosed that she had awarded scholarships to 40,000 Nigerian children over the past decade.
She said a significant number of the beneficiaries were children from her political ward in Adadama Obi Local Government Area of Cross River State, where, according to her, no child had paid school fees since 2016 because of the effects of communal conflict and the disruption of farming activities.
She said she had personally taken responsibility for their education during the period.
Edu stressed that her decision to celebrate her birthday at the IDP camp was not politically motivated but driven by compassion and a personal commitment she had made to God to impact the lives of vulnerable people.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, commended Dr. Betta Edu for choosing to celebrate her milestone birthday with displaced persons rather than through a conventional celebration.
Ode described the gesture as a demonstration of compassion, solidarity and shared humanity, saying the 40th birthday milestone offered an opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment to service.
He particularly commended Edu for the scholarships, describing her record of 40,000 beneficiaries as significant.
“Forty thousand is not a joke,” the Deputy Governor said, while praying for continued blessings and strength for the former minister.
Ode said the humanitarian situation in Benue remained a serious concern, noting that displacement had disrupted livelihoods, separated families from their homes and farmlands, interrupted children’s education and placed enormous pressure on Communities.
He said the state government’s responsibility extended beyond temporary relief to pursuing lasting solutions that would enable displaced persons to rebuild their lives and return home safely and with dignity.
According to him, the Alia administration would continue to work with the Federal Government, humanitarian organisations, development partners, religious institutions and other stakeholders to address displacement through interventions in security, shelter, food assistance, healthcare, education, clean water and livelihood restoration.
“The ultimate aspiration is to see our people return to their homes under conditions that guarantee their safety,” Ode said, stressing that such returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified.
He assured the beneficiaries that the items donated by Edu would be judiciously distributed and used to support livelihoods.
Ode also commended humanitarian organisations, religious bodies, Community leaders and individuals contributing to the welfare of displaced persons across the state.
He urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration, noting that addressing the displacement crisis required a collective commitment from government, civil society, the private sector and humanitarian partners.
Ode congratulated Edu on her 40th birthday and wished her renewed strength, wisdom, good health and greater opportunities to serve humanity.
He said the state government remained committed to building a society where compassion would triumph over indifference and where displaced citizens could regain security, dignity and opportunity.
