Nigeria at 65: OPWS Brings Education and Hope to Displaced Children in Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has commemorated Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary with a humanitarian outreach to vulnerable children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Daudu-2, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

As part of the Independence Day celebration, Major General Gara donated 3,000 copies of 60-page exercise books to pupils and students of both primary and secondary schools across the Joint Operations Area of OPWS.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, the beneficiaries included learners from Ortese and Abagana IDP camps, as well as Government Secondary School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, among others.

Major General Gara described the gesture as part of the command’s commitment to promoting education, restoring hope, and strengthening civil-military relations. He reaffirmed that the troops’ primary responsibility remains ensuring a secure environment for displaced persons and facilitating their safe return home. “I hope that when next I visit, it will be in your homes, not as IDPs,” he said.

The Commander further advised the learners to remain disciplined, law-abiding, and focused on their studies, noting that education is the foundation for a better and more prosperous future.

The Camp Manager, Mr. Noel Numbe, expressed appreciation on behalf of the IDPs, describing the intervention as timely. He explained that many pupils had been unable to attend school due to a lack of writing materials and commended the Force Commander for the peace that now allows residents to farm without fear.

A pupil, Tyokile Samuel, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Major General Gara for his kindness and encouragement, praying for divine blessings upon him for his compassion and leadership.