Members of the St. James’ Minory Seminary Old Boys Association (SAJSOBA) on Wednesday, July 23, visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are taking shelter at the International Market Makurdi, the Benue State capital, bearing both food and non-food items. They were led by Engr. Godwin Kaave, National President, with other members of the National Executive Council.
The gesture, Engr. Kaave said it is part of the activities marking the 70th anniversary of their alma mater.
According to the President, SAJSOBA, whose membership includes priests and those who at some point contemplated becoming priests, recognises the position of charity and the reason they’re identifying with the plight of the IDPs.
“We are basically men of God. We have priests amongst us. And even those of us that are not priests, at some point we contemplated becoming priests.
“We appreciate what charity is, and it is in that spirit that we have decided to visit this IDPs camp to identify with the plight of the IDPs. We are not happy that they are going through this. They never planned to be here, and I am sure the government, too, never envisaged that this would happen at this point in time.
“I know that the government of our brother, Very Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, is trying. SEMA has been in the news for good reasons. They are trying, but we know that the government cannot do this alone.
“So, we have come to throw our little support – to give our widow’s mite, to augment the efforts of government,” Engr. Kave explained.
The Camp Manager, Mr. Robert Nyam, received the St James’ old boys on behalf of the IDPS.
On behalf of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Nyam commended SAJSOBA for coming to help take care of the Yelwata IDPs.
He disclosed that 5,294 IDPs from 2,336 households are registered at the camp and assured them of a fair distribution of the relief supplies through their block leaders.
Items donated include ten cartons of noodles, 15 bags of 10 kg rice, one bag of slippers, four cartons of detergent, three cartons of soap, and five bags of clothing and shoes. They also sponsored a barbing session for the IDPs.
TNT learnt that on Thursday, October 24, SAJSOBA will conduct a free medical outreach for their alma mater’s host community.
