By Samuel Adeola
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Yar-Kade, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to provide displaced Nigerians with a fresh start.
The project, developed by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), now accommodates 40 households, comprising 239 individuals; including refugees from Cameroon and Sudan.
The fully serviced modern settlement features solar lighting, a school, a hospital, a mosque, a church, a police post, greenhouses, and vocational training centres.
Speaking at the inauguration, the First Lady said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda to go beyond shelter and deliver total empowerment.
“This is not just resettlement, but empowerment,” she stated. “We have secured 100 hectares of farmland for the residents so they can farm, feed themselves, and earn a living. Our work does not end here; skills acquisition and sustainable empowerment are key.”
Mrs. Tinubu also donated bags of rice, clothing, and other essential items to the beneficiaries, urging them to live peacefully with their host community.
“This is a new dawn,” she said. “Be law-abiding and contribute positively to your new environment.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule described the project as “a beacon of hope” and commended President Tinubu’s administration for restoring security and prioritizing the welfare of displaced persons.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the First Lady’s presence underscored the federal government’s commitment to restoring dignity and hope to displaced populations.
“You are not just giving them shelter, you are giving them dignity,” he remarked.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, also announced a ₦200,000 business grant for each household to support their path toward economic independence.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the residents, Geoffrey Bitrus said, “With this new home, we can now look forward to the future with renewed hope.”
Notable dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd); Senator Bashir Lado; and the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall.
