CEFTER Director’s family donate relief materials to IDPs in Benue
Bridget Tikyaa
The family of Prof. Barnabas Ikyo, Director, Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) of Benue State University, has presented food and non-food items to hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
The items donated by the family include toiletries, foodstuffs, and other consumables, as well as shoes and clothes for the IDPs, including women and children.
In his remarks, Ikyo said that the gesture was the family’s modest contribution to alleviating the suffering of the IDPs, and an appreciation to God for sparing his life to help the needy having successfully completed two tenures of 10 years at CEFTER.
The Director expressed sadness over the June 13 massacre at Yelewata and prayed to God to heal the wounded and broken spirits.
“It is our little way to give back to the society in appreciation of what God has done for us. We are here to share the little we have with the IDPs. We pray that peace will return in their homes and land to enable them live their normal lives.
“I thank God for my wife, the Director General of Benue Television, who completed her 5 years in office,” he said.
Mrs Patience Achakpaikyo, on her part, commended the state government for providing safe space for the IDPs, and for its proactive approach and clear understanding of the humanitarian crisis.
She appreciated God for her family, particularly her husband, who has had a successful 10-year tenure serving under four vice chancellors gracefully.
In his remarks, Dr Donald Komgbenda, Head of Administration, Benue State Emergency Management Agency welcomed the donation, describing it as a gesture rooted in compassion and responsibility in alleviating the suffering of displaced persons.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the family for the timely intervention and urged other well-meaning organisations and individuals to emulate the gesture.
The family of Prof. Ikyo was accompanied by the SSA to the Governor on School Feeding Programme, Mrs Josephine Boager; the PSA to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communication Strategy, Bridget Tikyaa; as well as family, friends, and colleagues from CEFTER and Benue TV.
