As part of activities to mark the Nigerian Airforce 60th anniversary, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) Tuesday distributed food items and offered free medical services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs ) in Durumi, Abuja.
Food items distributed to the IDPs include 50kg bag of rice, beans, bag semovita, 5 litres gallon vegetable oil and red oil, cartoon of spaghetti, spices, toiletries among others.
Speaking during the event, president of NAFOWA and Wife of the Chief of the Air Staff, Mrs Rakiya Abubakar, said the humanitarian and medical outreach was targeted at over 100 families who are direct victims of insurgency and terrorism.
She urged other well meaning Nigerians and Non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of victims of insurgency, adding that government cannot do it alone.
“This outreach is one of the many events lined up to celebrate the various transformation and significant impact the Nigenan Air Force had made in the stability and unity of our dear nation as well as maintaining regional security.
“Today, we are here to reaffirm in action our Association’s motto ‘Service to Humanity’ as we Stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have to live their homes and livelihood due to insecurity.
” We are here to assure you that you are not alone and are ready to share our resources in providing comfort in any way possible.
“NAFOWA agrees that govemment alone cannot bring about peace and the complete desired humanitarian aids to victims of terror. It is on this premise that NAFOWA invites well-meaning individuals and other non-govemmental organizations to provide similar gesture and humanitarian assistance to those who truly need it.
“To the beneficiaries of today’s outreach, let me once again assure you of our continuous support and prayers for your safe return to your various homes in the nearest time to come.”
She said the humanitarian gesture is taking place at all NAF command nationwide to mark NAF at 60.
“This humanitarian gesture is taking place in all NAF commands. Some outreaches are to orphanages, while some are just to the neighbouring communities,” she said.
In an interview with journalists, the vice president of NAFOWA, Dr. Bukola Olatunde, said the association decided to include the medical team of the Nigerian Airforce in order to give the IDPs a total package.
“We know that their needs is not just food. We wanted to give them an holistic approach that why we included the medical outreach,” she said.
She said some of the IDPs that needed further medical attention have been referred to and NAFOWA would follow up to ensure they received adequate medical attention.
“There is a particular child that has a rear condition. We have linked up with a foundation that takes care of that kind of health condition and they have taken the boy.
“There are some ailments we refer to national hospital because our hospital is to far for them. Hospital should be somewhere they can easily access and we intend to follow up with their treatment,” she said.
Also speaking, chairperson of NAF at 60 NAFOWA humanitarian and medical outreach, Mrs Ngoze Aneke, admonished other Nigerians to meet specific needs of the IDPs which are a functional hospital and school.
She said, “We are here because we have a very companionate leader who cares about the plights of IDPs and less privilege. That is why we came here today to celebrate with the IDPs.
“Having heard what the leader of the IDPs said today that they would need a school and hospital , I lmplore well meaning Nigerians to show this kind of kindness .
“I encourage more Nigerians to come to their aid and show more love because there is love in sharing.”
One of the beneficiaries Ladi Ayuba, thanked NAFOWA for the kind gesture
“We feel very happy and amazed with the show of love from NAFOWA. Our hearts is filled with joy. You can see how we are singing and dancing.
“We say thank you to our mummy Rakiya Abubakar, and all members of NAFOWA that came here because of us. They left everything and came here for us. They brought food and other items for us. May Almighty God bless and replenish them,” she said.
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