By Rabiu Sani
Maiduguri – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday, began distribution of ‘dignity kits’ to 500 displaced persons in Borno as part of interventions to improve sanitation and personal hygiene of girls affected by conflict in the North East region.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who flagged of the distribution on Monday at the Dalori Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, said the gesture followed the request by the girls for assistance.
Abubakar, represented by AVM. Precious Amadi, the Air Task Force (ATF) Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), said the gesture was part of the NAF humanitarian programme.
According to him, the programme is aimed at helping the young children in IDPs camps to develop a culture of personal hygiene and improve self esteem.
The CAS said that apart from food and medical services provided to the displaced persons by NAF, the service accorded attention to the personal needs of the girls to help them maintain their personal hygiene and to preserve their dignity as young women.
“I made a pledge to provide what we can to cater for their needs. Today, I am delighted to say that the pledge is being fulfilled, the NAF will be presenting dignity packs to the young girls.
“The NAF has been in the forefront of responding to the welfare and emergency needs of its host communities through the provision of essential amenities and medical services.
“Currently; we run Level-2 hospitals in Dalori and Bama IDP Camps. These efforts are geared towards improving civil-military relations between the NAF and its host community.
“It is also a way of employing the non-coercive soft power in this war against insurgency in order to win the hearts and minds of the people.
“Further to this presentation, we plan to expand the Level-2 hospitals in Bama and Dalori IDP camps. These gestures are part of our commitment to add value to the immediate communities and the society at large,” Abubakar said.
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari over his support to the NAF, Abubakar reiterated the commitment to end insurgency, restore peace to the region, protect lives and property as well as defend the nation’s territorial integrity.
Also speaking, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, the Chairperson, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), lauded the gesture, adding that it would go a long way to improve hygiene and health status of the displaced girls.
Kolo said that the NAF had been providing medical assistance and school feeding to over 1,000 children as well as introduced safe mother programme in the camps.
She called on organisations and wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture and support the displaced persons.
Some of the beneficiaries, Ummi Ibrahim and Falmata Muhammad, commended the NAF for the gesture, adding that it would improve their health status.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the kits distributed to the girls included soap, detergents, sanitary pads and petroleum jelly.
More than 22,000 persons displaced from their homes at Bama, Konduga and Kukawa are taking shelter at the Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri. (NAN)