NGOs’ unique services to IDPs

The good work of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Borno state and Nigeria at large in terms of peace building, job creation, provision of basic necessities to IDPs, and fighting for justice for people who are being treated unjustly can’t be overemphasised.

Most people in Borno state are carried away by conspiracy and dubious beliefs that NGOs are not working in favour of humanity but on the basis of symbiotic agenda.

Allegations that the organisations are training their workers with a dummy pistol may not be true, after all. Though there is no good reason as to why the simulation is being carried out, the step taken by the Governor of Borno state, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, by suspending the said NGO from operating in the state until investigation is concluded, is the best decision ever.

I am putting my pen on paper to draw the attention of all Nigerians and Borno state people in particular to discard the belief of perceiving all NGOs as bad eggs and as also contributing to the gross insecurity bedevilling Nigeria. People should instead have a sense of intuition to understand that they are some cabals whose intention is to sabotage the good effort and works of the NGOs. I am also calling on all patriotic citizens who are involved to disengage from any form of conspiracy of silence and cooperate to stop the rising cases of insecurity.

The government both at federal and state level should setup a committee that will thoroughly investigate, checkmate, oversee and regulate the operation of the NGOs. A law should also be enacted with heavy penalty upon which any NGO’S that breach the law should pay for the price.

Together we will lift Nigeria to the next level. Long live Nigeria, long live Borno state.

Ahmed Abdul,

Department of Mass Communication,

University of Maiduguri