VICTIMS SUPPORT FUND COMMITTEE VISITS PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI
VSFThe Committee of the Victims Support Fund led by its Chairman General T. Y. Danjuma on Friday 31st July 2015 paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. The purpose of the visit was to brief the President on the work the committee has done since its inception.
General T.Y. Danjuma gave a brief history of the Committee, the fundraising dinner hosted by former President Goodluck Jonathan and the subsequent setting up of The Foundation for the Support of Victims of Terrorism which was set up as the implementation arm of the committee. He explained that the Federal Government had pledged 10 billion but had only redeemed 5 billion. The Chairman of the committee also raised concern about the length of time the war on terrorism was taking and the effect that would have on the victims and organisations tasked with providing assistance to the victims.
The Executive Director of the Foundation Dr. Sunday Ochoche briefed on the progress of the Foundation. He informed on the relief materials distribution to 10000 households in FCT, Gombe, Adamawa, and Borno states respectively, the disbursement of 2 billion to the Safe Schools Initiative. He also updated on the intervention planned for Bama, Gwoza and Kukawa local governments in Borno state, Mubi North, Mubi South and Girei local governments in Adamawa state and the current efforts with the Ministry of Health to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with seven hospitals in the North East to provide financial support for the procurement of drugs and other medical consumables needed for free treatment of victims of bomb and armed attacks by Boko Haram.
The President was pleased particularly with the hospital intervention and encouraged VSF to ensure that it provides concrete deliverables with proper documentation, implementation and planning. He also advised that particular attention be paid to the area of IDPs and infrastructure rehabilitation. President Buhari ordered the immediate release of the balance of 5 billion.
General T.Y. Danjuma thanked the President for redeeming the balance of the pledge by the federal government and assured the President of the VSF’s commitment to diligently support the Victims of insurgency in Nigeria.
