Humanitarian Minister Lobbies Air Force For Logistics Support
By Edem ITA
As parts of concerted efforts to rally the support of Nigerian military formations to assist in the discharge of her official schedule, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has undertaken a working visit to the Air Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Edu told the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Hassan Abubakar that the visit was meant "to get the Air Force hierarchy on board with regards to the innovative technique being evolved by the Ministry to ensure humanitarian assistance and other intervention programmes are accessible by targeted beneficiaries."
The Minister explained that the distribution of relief materials, palliatives, and provision of humanitarian assistance by aide workers to the targeted audience would be futile, especially in difficult terrains without the logistic support of the Air Force, hence the need to strike an accord for mutual benefits.
She described the Air Force as a "critical partner in attaining her core vision which entails getting palliatives/ humanitarian aid across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, airlifting of aide workers for prompt access to difficult terrain to provide succor as well as the evacuation of stranded Nigerians in security flash points across the world."
Dr. Edu sued for a collective approach to combat poverty which she identified as an enabler of insecurity leading to the avalanche of humanitarian crises currently rattling the country.
According to her: "When we win the war against poverty, we will have won the war against insecurity by over 50%; please, fly us to those hard-to-reach areas."
"I'm sure you're quite aware that we have a good number of persons who are either internally displaced or refugees who need humanitarian assistance, and some of whom are in areas where it's difficult to access them through road due to insecurity, we will be seeking your support to see that we can get through to them to deliver humanitarian services, including palliatives.
"We're counting on you for support in terms of intelligence, we're counting on you for support in terms of security, we're counting on you for support within your mandate to see that our job is made easier, better, and success is achieved."
She pledged to capture families of deceased servicemen in the poverty alleviation scheme of her Ministry and requested for deployment of Air Force personnel to the Ministry as desk officers for effective liaison.
She reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards addressing humanitarian disasters to scale down the alarming number of internally displaced persons around the country.
While congratulating Air Marshal Hassan on his appointment, Dr Edu lauded the officers and men of the Force for their track record in humanitarian service as witnessed in the prompt evacuation of stranded Nigerian students in Sudan.
She extended the heartfelt condolences of her Ministry to the Air Force over the loss of some personnel on active duty in an air mishap recently recorded in Niger in the ongoing battle against insurgency in some northern parts of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, lauded the Minister for the bold initiative and pledged the readiness of the Air Force to stimulate viable partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in addressing critical humanitarian challenges facing the country.
In his words;" Your presence here underscores our shared commitment to the well-being of our fellow citizens during their most trying times. The challenges that confront us in the humanitarian sphere are multifaceted.
"Nigeria faces crises triggered by conflicts, natural disasters, and displacement, each presenting unique complexities.
"Responding to these crises effectively requires a coordinated and unified approach, pooling the resources and expertise of various agencies and departments, and that is precisely what we both represent in our various rights", We will do better, we will give all the support you need. Air Marshal Hassan assured the Minister.
High points of the visits included inspection of the guard of honour by the Minister and the traditional exchange of gifts.
