By Deborah Coker
A Muslim group, called Sisters of Jannah (SOJ), Monday paid a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Uhogua in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the camp is managed by the Home for the Needy Foundation, under the International Christian Centre For Missions.
The group, led by its Coordinator, Benin Zone, Mrs Nana-Aishat Kassim-Hassan, said they were in the camp to show love to the inmates.
Kassim-Hassan said that SOJ as a non-governmental organisation was into charity, empowerment of women and less privileged as well as assisting children and disabled persons.
She said the group had specific programmes lined up for each month of the year and that January and February were dedicated to mopping up of the homes.
“By this, what we do is to take things from our homes to where we feel they are needed, so that those who we give them to can feel loved.
“That is why we are here today to identify with the people here and donate these things to them.
“But coming here today, we are moved by what we have seen, the idea behind this place and your efforts in taking care of them.
“So, we will help you to spread the information to other Muslim groups and organisations.
“This is to ensure that they also come and identify with you, help you and spread love.
“We are Muslim women, but we care and relate with everybody, irrespective of religion,” Kassim-Hassan said.
Responding, the Coordinator of the camp, Mr Solomon Folorunsho, described the group’s visit as a big encouragement to both the IDPs and management of the camp.
Folorunsho appealed to other well-meaning Nigerians to “forget about religion and come identify with the IDPs so they can feel loved and cared for”.
NAN reports that items donated by the group included shoes, clothing and food items.
Similarly, a Christian group, the Ekklesiyar Yan’Uwa A Nijeriya (EYN), was also in the camp to identify with the IDPs.
The Gospel Team of the group, led by its Chairman, Mr Elisha Shavah, said they came to encourage the IDPs and also find a way to support them.
Shavah said EYN had concluded plans to give support for the education of the IDPs.
According to him, the future of every child is education and once a child is deprived of it, it spells doom for him. (NAN)
