ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma will be among the important dignitaries that will grace the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) seminar to seek a lasting solution to the plights of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
The President of AANDEC, Brig-Gen. Jonathan Temlong (rtd), disclosed this in a briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, to highlight the activities lined up for the seminar that is to be organised in partnership with the National Defence College (NDC).
Temlong said that the seminar was necessitated by the sufferings currently being experienced by those affected in the insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
He noted that apart from the fact that thousands of people of the affected states have been displaced, many others have become refugees in other countries.
Also, he said, social infrastructures including schools and health facilities have been pulled down and crippled.
This, according to him, is a source of concern to all meaning Nigerians including his association.
He said: “As we are aware, our great country Nigeria has, for some years now, been battling to deal with the mindless insurgency that has continued to ravage the country, the north east is worse hit with massive destruction and loss of lives.
“While millions of the residents of the 3 affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have been internally displaced and are now tagged as IDPs in their own country, several others have become refugees in the neighboring countries. Most of the victims have witnessed horror whose psychological effects will linger in their minds and hearts for years to come.”
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Temlong therefore noted that, in line with the vision of AANDEC, it has decided to organize the National Security Summit and focus on the issue of the IDPs and post conflict peace building.
This, he explained, is in view of the need for all Nigerians to work together towards alleviating the sufferings of the IDPs and enhance the peace building efforts embarked upon by governments at different levels.
The AANDEC president further disclosed that the seminar will also be of benefit to the participants of Course 24 who, according to him, are the future commanders and service chiefs of the Armed Forces as well as the technocrats of strategic sectors of the country.
The seminar which , he noted, has been scheduled for February 3-4, will have elder statesman, T.Y. Danjuma, who is also the chairman of the Victims Support Fund (VSF) for the IDPs as the special guest of honour.
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