The Nigeria Red Cross Society has organized a special training for 20 persons in Borno state, Northern Nigeria on psychological support in order to address cases of trauma among internally displaced persons IDPs in the state.
The Head of Organizational Development, Learning and Innovation, from the Society’s office in Abuja, Mr. Andronicus Adeyemo, who was in Maiduguri to supervise the training, said the aim of the three days training was to train persons who will help displaced persons on psychological and traumatic problems.
The Needed Training
He said the Red Cross Society has carefully selected persons from the affected Local Government Areas of Borno state, such as Chibok, Damboa, Jere, Konduga, Bama, Gwoza and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council among others.
”We in the Nigeria Red Cross have come to organize three days training on psychological support for the Red Cross in Borno, our aim is to address the issues of trauma in as it affects people who were displaced because it is something that could not be seen with our naked eyes,” he explained.
Some of the dignitaries at the training include the Northeast National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, Executive Secretary of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Bulama Muhammed and the Chairman, Nigeria Red Cross, Borno state Branch, Mohammed Kauji, among others.
While thanking the organizers, the NEMA Zonal Coordinator, said the training came at the right time, as it will assist displaced persons to get reunited with the society.
He urged the organizers to continue to train more people.
Mass Wedding
Meanwhile, seven female IDPs were on Sunday married off at an elaborate wedding in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
The women, who were all displaced from Bama, a town which was captured by the insurgents last year, were all married off to their suitors.
The event, took place at the private residence of the Treasurer of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, Alhaji Aji Kolo, who sponsored the event.
It was not lacking in the glamour of Kanuri tradition and was celebrated in accordance with the dictates of Islam, as the couples were all Muslims.
Speaking on the multiple marriages, Kolo said he decided to sponsor the wedding to give a sense of belonging to the IDPs who lacked the resources to perform such an occasion.
He further said his motivation was the need to strengthen the institution of marriage in the community.
All the newly wedded brides, who spoke in turn, expressed joy at the event and thanked Kolo for the gesture.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Amina Bukar, said she had wanted to formalize her marriage since last year but was constrained by lack of resources.
Bukar noted that Kolo had assisted the IDPs in the locality on several occasions, adding that his philanthropic disposition was unparalleled, VON reports.
Posted by Janice Johnson
