Deputy Speaker Kalu Donates Cash, Food Items to Fallen Heroes’ families in Enugu, Ebonyi
By Juliet Vincent
Peace Fund Committee for Victims of Insecurity, established by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has donated a cash donation of N1 million each to the families of victims of insecurity in Enugu and Ebonyi states.
The donation is in continuation of its mission of bringing relief to victims of insecurity in Nigeria.
It could be recalled that the Fund Committee had penultimate week visited Abia and Imo States where a total of 24 families of slain policemen received financial aid and relief materials.
In a statement on Sunday, the Publicity Secretary of the Fund Committee, Sam Hart, stated that Enugu outreach event held at the Nigerian Police Officers Mess where the Chairman of the Fund, Chief Daniel Akwari, emphasized the initiative’s purpose.
According to him, the Peace Fund, which is an arm of the Peace in the South-East Project (PISE-P), was created by Hon. Benjamin Kalu to support families of security officers affected by Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, especially in the South-East.
Akwari highlighted that, the Peace Fund is committed to non-kinetic solutions in addressing insecurity in the region.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Fund Committee, Mary Ikoku, stressed that the mission goes beyond financial support to include psycho-social care, ensuring the emotional well-being of victims’ families.
In his remark, Islani Hope Okereke who represented the Enugu State Police Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration), commended the Peace Fund Committee for the kind gestures.
He described the gesture as complementary to the Nigerian Police High Command’s efforts to support bereaved families, expressing deep gratitude to the Deputy Speaker and his team.
Responding, the beneficiaries in Enugu, including Nkasiobi Jennifer, Agnes Edet Essang, and Nwoga Blessing, expressed heartfelt appreciation, saying the initiative had wiped away their tears.
The Committee later proceeded to Ebonyi State, where they were hosted at the Nigerian Police Command Headquarters in Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed, welcomed the outreach, expressing gratitude to Kalu for helping to provide succour to the families.
Beneficiaries such as Ekuma Blessing, Mrs. Ona Esther, and Egede Praise received financial aid and relief materials, expressing their profound gratitude.
The Committee announced that Anambra State is the next destination for the outreach, with plans to extend the initiative to other regions of Nigeria severely impacted by insecurity.
It will be recalled that in June this year, the Deputy Speaker inaugurated the seven-member Peace Fund Committee to raise financial assistance for victims of insecurity nationwide on the heels of the brutal murder of two military personnel in Aba, Abia State.
Leading a condolence visit of PISE-P to the families of the soldiers killed at the 144 Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Kalu subsequently made a personal donation of N10 million to start off the Fund.
The Deputy Speaker later tasked the Committee on gathering accurate demographic data of affected families and engaging individuals, corporate organizations, and agencies to support the Fund.
Kalu said, “Remembering the widows and family members of our fallen heroes in the security forces will make them proud that their husbands did not labor in vain and motivate those still serving to give their all”.
The Fund has received generous donations from well-meaning Nigerians, enabling it to deliver on its promise of relief to families affected by insecurity.
