By Our Correspondent in Makurdi
In a heartwarming show of support for displaced children, K2U Puzzles Games Limited, in partnership with the Oando Foundation, has donated a make-shift library stocked with educational materials to children at the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Makurdi, Benue State.
Speaking during the official handover of the facility, Mr. Martins Oloye, Cofounder of K2U Puzzles Games Limited, revealed that the project was aimed at giving the children an opportunity to pursue education even in a displaced setting. According to him, the library was equipped with over 150,000 books, ranging from Nursery One to Senior Secondary School 3.
“Our goal is to help these children access learning despite their current realities. Education should not stop because of displacement,” Oloye stated.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of The Offshore Lab, Mr. Emeka Obiwulu, reiterated his organization’s commitment to delivering education to underserved and crisis-affected communities.
“We are committed to taking learning to areas where educational infrastructure has been destroyed by conflict. We will also design a curriculum aligned with Nigeria’s formal education system to keep these children in tune with national and global standards,” he explained.
In a complementary gesture, the Founder of Luxe Dental, Dr. Funmilayo Adeniyi, disclosed that her organization provided free dental kits to over 500 children, while 100 of them received professional dental treatment on site.
During the occasion, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr. Aondowase Kunde, appreciated the donors and assured that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia was working tirelessly to tackle insecurity and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
“The government appreciates every effort that brings hope and healing to our people. Your intervention has truly put smiles on the faces of these children,” Kunde remarked.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, lamented the devastating impact of violent attacks on the education system, especially in local government areas such as Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande, Apa, Agatu, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Otukpo.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu (represented by Mr. Donald Komgbenda), emphasized that the state government remains committed to resettling all displaced persons in their original communities in the near future.
The event stands as a reminder that even in displacement, hope and education can thrive with the right partnerships and purposeful interventions.
