Leadership (Abuja)
Bernard Tolani Dada
11 August 2008
Returnees from Bakassi who are currently quartered at a camp in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State have been assured of better life and adequate care.
The Chairman of Mbo local government council, Mr Victor Antai, gave this assurance during a solidarity visit to the temporary camp of the Nigerians who were displaced as a fall out of the International Court of Justice's ruling on the troubled Bakassi Peninsula which was subsequently ceded to the Republic of Cameroon .
Addressing the huge crowd of returnees, some of whom are from Akwa Ibom State, the council Chairman described their home coming as an act of God, saying that "whatever situation one finds himself or herself in this life should be considered as a challenge," adding that he had seen what they passed through in the aftermath of the crisis as a result of the ICJ judgement.
According to him," the entire Mbo local government area and the people of Akwa Ibom State sympathise and empathise with all of you, remember that whatever happens, you are now back home in your own country. "You should now know that your troubles are over".
He assured them of good accommodation and better health care, stressing that he would bring their plight to the attention of Governor Godswill Akpabio, and urged them to show understanding by being law abiding while in Mbo.
Responding, the Chief of the Yoruba community in Ibaka, headquarters of Mbo local government council, Chief Johnbull Obadiah, expressed happiness over the council chairman's visit to the camp to identify with the victims' plight and for his brotherly assurance with the hope of bringing succour to them.
He, however, pleaded with the Federal Government not to abandon them at this trying period of their lives, but to ensure that all the returnees were properly and adequately re-settled in any place of their choice so as to be integrated into the Nigerian society.
"Majority of the people here were doing very well before the crises and many lost their entire property including life savings, while an unspecified number died in the process and, as I am speaking to you, some are still lying in the hospital, seriously injured, "he lamented.
Obadiah, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians to be united and come to the aid of the returnees irrespective of their states of origin.
The Yoruba community leader described Governor Akpabio as a great leader and a detribalised Nigerian, stressing that that was evident by the quick response of the Chairman of Mbo local government and the people of the area towards the hapless returnees.
He assured that the returnees would maintain peace by not taking the law into their hands during their stay in Mbo, until they were permanently resettled.
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