The Peace Fund for victims of insecurity in Nigeria has commenced the distribution of cash and relief materials to deserving beneficiaries in the South-East geopolitical zone.
Recall that Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, had in June this year, inaugurated a seven-man Peace Fund Committee to help raise financial assistance for the victims of insecurity in the South-East zone and Nigeria as a whole.
Kalu had kick-started the activities of the Fund by donating N10 million during his condolence visit to the families of soldiers who were killed on duty at the 144 Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West local government area of Abia State.
The committee, after its preliminary documentations, commenced the distribution of cash and relief items to identified victims in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
At the event held at the Abia State Police Command headquarters in Umuahia, the representatives of the Fund provided cash and relief materials to 14 families of slain security personnel who died while serving in the state.
Five profiled families got cash of N1million each and food items while another nine got food items while the Fund verified their records for cash disbursement.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Secretary of the Peace Fund for Victims of Insecurity, Mary Ikoku, noted that the intervention was created to provide succour to families of security operatives who pay the ultimate price in the line of duty.
She stated that although an initiative of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Fund has attracted the support of other well-meaning Nigerians who have donated generously to it.
Also speaking at the event, the Publicity Secretary of the Fund, Sam Hart, thanked the Abia State Police Command for their warm reception and for going the extra mile to ensure the success of the mission of the delegation.
He noted that such synergy between the security agencies and the civil population was what is needed to foster a new paradigm in the country.
In his speech while welcoming the delegation, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Police Command, CP Danladi Isah, extended his heartfelt appreciation to Deputy Speaker Kalu for his vision in setting up the Fund.
The Abia Police boss equally appreciated all the donors who have so far donated to the Fund and urged others to support the initiative as it will serve as a morale booster to serving policemen to know that their families will not be forgotten should they pay the ultimate price in the line of duty.
He said the Police, under the Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, has rolled out a number of laudable welfare schemes to support serving and deceased police personnel but encouraged the civil populace to continue to do whatever they can to support the Police who are facing daily danger while securing the people.
Those who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries in appreciation of the gesture of the Deputy Speaker and the Peace Fund included the Secretary of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) in Abia State, Helen Okoye, and the President of the Late Police Officers’ Wives Association (LAPOWA) in Abia State, Vivian Nwogbe.
The Peace Fund delegation moved to Imo State after which it will proceed to Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States. The activities of the Fund is expected to extend to other parts of the country, which have been ravaged by insecurity.
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