By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
About 1,571 households affected by attacks across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State between March and July 2025 have benefited from a N1 billion donation by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and an additional N500 million counterpart fund from the Plateau State Government.
The disbursement of the combined N1.5 billion humanitarian assistance was officially flagged off on Monday at the Government House, Little Rayfield, by Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, in the presence of top government officials, members of the National Assembly and the leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Governor Mutfwang said the combined N1.5 billion was meant to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of attacks, noting that Senator Oluremi Tinubu donated N1 billion, while the state government contributed N500 million.
According to Mutfwang, the financial support is intended to provide immediate relief and help affected families begin rebuilding their livelihoods.
The governor directed all Local Government Areas to establish dedicated complaint desks to address issues concerning the intervention.
He added that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would also establish a desk to receive grievances that could not be resolved at the local government level.
He urged beneficiaries to channel any complaints through the designated formal channels rather than social media, adding that the list of beneficiaries had been verified through committees involving Local Government Chairmen and religious leaders from CAN and JNI.
Governor Mutfwang further said the administration was aware that some beneficiaries did not have bank accounts or had provided third-party account details.
He assured citizens that measures would be taken to ensure that no one was permanently excluded from the financial system because of poverty or displacement.
He said that beyond the immediate cash relief, the state government would support farmers to return to their lands and assist businesses affected by the attacks to recover.
He also said plans were underway to begin rebuilding displaced communities after the rainy season.
According to him, the government’s aim is to recover lands taken from citizens to facilitate resettlement, while a new World Bank initiative is expected to empower at least 90,000 women across eight Local Government Areas in the state.
He added that a N3 billion intervention targeting women was expected to be completed before the end of October, stressing the importance of investing in women because of their critical role in family stability and resource management.
The governor also directed affected communities to submit lists of priority projects through their respective Local Government Councils for consideration by an interim ministerial committee.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, described the occasion as historic and deeply emotional, with the official disbursement of N1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to victims of violent attacks across rural communities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom LGAs.
According to him, before the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Plateau State Government had set up an inter-ministerial committee to identify victims eligible for the intervention in order to ensure transparency and fairness.
He said part of the funds being disbursed was donated to the state by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative.
Prof. Nentawe said the committee handled the assignment with due diligence and consulted the various Local Government Areas, resulting in the disbursement.
He said the occasion was not merely about administrative procedures but also about collective healing, solidarity and demonstrating that victims of the attacks had not been forgotten.
He expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the intervention, saying the N1 billion donation was aimed at helping vulnerable people rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods and regain their dignity.
Prof. Nentawe also commended Governor Mutfwang for his commitment to restoring peace and ensuring transparency in the distribution of the relief funds.
He appreciated the governor for adding N500 million to the First Lady’s N1 billion intervention, adding that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would work with Local Government Areas, security agencies and community leaders to ensure a fair and transparent distribution process.
“To our resilient brothers and sisters who are the beneficiaries today, we know that no amount of money can fully erase the pain of the past or replace what has been lost.
“However, it is our prayer that this gesture, this disbursement of N1.5 billion, will serve as a powerful lifeline and a seed of renewal to help you return to your farms, rebuild your homes and restart your businesses.”
