The wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state Mrs Martha Emmanuel has donated food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who survived the recent crisis in Essien Udim local government area.
The Items include 10 bags of garri, 10 bags of beans, 5 cartons of seasonings, 12 bags of salt, 200 bags of rice among others.
At least no fewer than 5,000 persons from 12 communities in the LGA have been displaced following the joint military operation which took place on Tuesday, last week in some communities in the council.
Speaking during the donation at Catholic Diocese camp in Ufuho on Thursday, the Wife of the governor sympathised with women and children caught in the situation.
The governor’s wife, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, said she was particularly concerned about the hygiene of the women in the camp.
She said, “Churches should also wade into the situation and help in prayers for peace to return to the local government area.”
Emmanuel commended the Catholic Diocese for opening up their facilities to shelter the survivors while providing food at the same time.
“In real war situation, we know how it was. A lot of us have passed through series of that situation and we don’t want that to happen in this generation. We don’t want our children to be orphans and our women to be widows. I know a lot are in the hospital but we will continue to pray for peace to prevail,” she said.
On his part, the Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, condemned the violence recently perpetrated by hoodlums in the area which eventually displaced innocent persons from their homes.
Akpabio, an indigene of Essien Udim said the area has been known for peace and hospitality but expressed sadness that the event took everyone unawares.
He thanked the Bishop of the Diocese “for providing shelter, security, food, water and medical services for the IDPs.
“We also appreciate His Excellency and Her Excellency for the show of love for Essien Udim people. They have also extended their sincere gratitude to the entire people of Essien Udim.”
Reacting, the Bishop of the Ikot Ekpene Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Camillus Umoh, lauded the government for coming to the aid of the IDPs, saying that they should also consider how they would get back to their normal life after their properties were destroyed.