Onoja leads SEMA to BASSA, distributes relief materials to victims of communal clashes »

To ensure that victims of disasters, both natural and man made get the needed relief that would aid speedy recovery, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State and Chairman, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Chief Edward Onoja yesterday, paid another visit to areas affected by communal clashes in Bassa local government area of Kogi State where he had talks with them and distributed relief materials to the affected.

Chief Onoja, who was represented by the DG Protocol to the office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Jibril Abu paid a visit to the Aguma of Bassa Kingdom, HRM Keke Jimba Williams V where he expressed the State Government’s resolve in restoring all the properties and means of livelihood lost by victims of the attacks.

While at Biroko, Autara, Sheria and other communities that suffered from the notorious attacks two years ago, Onoja declared that no peace had ever come from two differing groups clashing in war. He commended the efforts of the State Government in the area of security, and stated that what is left to be achieved is for the people to develop sincere love for each other and to put their differences aside for the greater good of Kogi State.

He reiterated his commitment as Chairman of SEMA in Kogi to delivering whatever is made available from the State and Federal Government to the right people who had lost either loved ones, properties or livelihoods. He appealed to the people to make do with what the State Government had provided, while expecting more from NEMA, until peace, normalcy and a thriving economy is returned to Bassa Kingdom.

The Executive Secretary of Kogi SEMA, Julius Mejiyan described the visit as one of empathy to the plight of the people whose lives were changed negatively after the attacks occurred. He urged the people to learn to live in peace and harmony as directed by Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, and prayed that such a thing will never occur again.

He commended the state government for giving tokens to the affected members of the community, while awaiting a more comprehensive report and delivery of materials from NEMA.

The Aguma of Bassa, HRM Keke Jimba Williams V expressed joy at the level of attention given to the people by the State government, which started with a visit from the Commissioner of Police, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji earlier in the day. He urged the people to come forward with information on families affected by the crisis in order to form a more comprehensive report, assuring them of the governments resolve in restoring the livelihood of all affected members of the society.