Why Okowa Established Humanitarian Affairs Ministry – Anyafulu

Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Community Support Services, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, has said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa established the ministry as road map for the reduction of out of school children and care for the vulnerable in the state.

Anyafulu stated this in a keynote speech, Friday night, at the 4th YAVNETWORK BOOT CAMP with theme “My Africa, My Responsibility” organised by the African Volunteers Network and Leadership Institute, an arm of Revive Africa Initiative at Lambertian Suites, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

She said her ministry was saddled with the responsibility of getting accurate and reliable data on the number of out of school children in every community in the state.

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Anyafulu further said the state was interested in why they are not in school and whether they are children of vulnerable people or orphans to enable government extend assistance to them as the state government was working hard to ensure that no one was left behind.

“Am excited meeting young people agreeing to work together for the growth and development of the society

“Mentoring young people is no joke and if we must change Nigeria and the way we live we must first give ourselves up for the benefit of others.

“Volunteerism is a big venture globally and I must thank the organisers of this programme for the initiative to train volunteers among young people.

“Delta will benefit from this programme and I urge you to keep doing this for the good of the society.

“When the Governor established the ministry, we were given the mandate to ensure that we have a near accurate data and reliable social register that the state can rely on for special interventions.

“We need a comprehensive social register of out of school children in the state, we need to know who they are and how vulnerable they are.

“We need to know vulnerable families that can be supported in small scale businesses for their children to go to school.

“We also need to know how many young people that have gone to school but no job, youths with skill but no education.

“We do not want anybody to be left behind and that is why we must partner with you to ensure that no child of school age remained at home.

“We need volunteers like you to partner with us in this onerous task,” Anyafulu stated.

The Commissioner enjoined young people to get involved and be part of the process of citizens participation in elections to enable them elect leaders of their choice.

Earlier, Director General of the Revive Africa Initiative Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole, said the group was founded in 2017 to tackle governance challenges in Africa.

He said the group’s thematic focus includes citizens enlightenment and mentorship, contribution to nation-building through community support services and basic leadership principles, among others.

He added that 267 youths have been trained by the group in the last four years and commended partners of the group for identifying and supporting their vision.

At the ceremony, Mrs Anyafulu was honoured with the “African Humanitarian of the year” while Hon. Ben Igbakpa of the House of Representatives was honoured with the “African Legislator of the year” for his astute and vibrant representation in the National Assembly.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Nelson Egware was honoured as “Media Personality of the year” for “balanced reportage” while Ossai Ovie Success bagged “African Youth of the Year 2021”.

Divisional Police Officer, A Division, Asaba, CSP Fasugba Tope was awarded the “Most outstanding police officer of the year” for his unrelenting dedication to service and pro-people approach to policing, among other recipients.