First Lady commissions Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Keffi
The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Saturday commissioned the Oluremi Tinubu Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Yar-Kande community, Keffi, Nasarawa State — a significant milestone in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to restore hope and dignity to displaced Nigerians.
The state-of-the-art Resettlement City, developed by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), is currently home to 40 households comprising 239 individuals, including refugees from Cameroon and Sudan.
It features a range of modern amenities including solar-powered electricity, a school, clinic, mosque, church, police station, vocational training centres, and greenhouses.
Speaking at the commissioning, the First Lady emphasised that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not merely a policy slogan but a deliberate commitment to inclusive social welfare and the reintegration of displaced persons.
“I am pleased to witness the resettlement of 40 households into a safe and dignified environment. This development reaffirms the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which aims to enhance social welfare programmes for all Nigerians”, she said.
According to a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Tinubu underscored that the process of resettlement must be holistic, stressing the importance of empowerment and economic independence for affected families.
She said 100 hectares of farmland have been secured for cultivation, providing both food security and income opportunities for the residents.
“Our work does not end here. Resettlement must go hand in hand with empowerment and skills acquisition,” she said, highlighting facilities such as vocational training centres and greenhouses.
While commending the community for embracing the resettled families, the First Lady encouraged the beneficiaries to integrate peacefully and contribute positively to the development of their new environment.
“To the families being resettled here today, I say: this is a new dawn. I urge you to continue to be law-abiding and live peacefully with your host community,” she said.
As part of her humanitarian gesture, the First Lady distributed bags of rice, clothing, and essential supplies to the families.
Joining the First Lady at the event, Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Abdullahi Sule, lauded the initiative as a powerful symbol of compassion and leadership.
“This Resettlement City is not just a physical structure, it is a beacon of hope. Let living here mold you and prepare you for a brighter future,” the governor remarked.
He also commended President Tinubu’s efforts in restoring security nationwide and called for continued community cooperation to achieve lasting peace.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, hailed the First Lady’s dedication to social inclusion, noting that her presence and involvement reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to hearing and valuing the displaced.
“By this gesture, you are giving them hope and dignity, and restoring a great future to the children. That is what the President stands for, and that is what true Renewed Hope represents,” Prof. Yilwatda stated.
In support of the empowerment drive, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, provided business recapitalization grants of ₦200,000 to each of the 40 households.
One of the resettled residents, Geoffrey Bitrus, who spoke on behalf of the families, expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the government for what he described as “a future filled with hope.”
“We thank Her Excellency for her love and care. With this new home, we can now look forward to the future with our hope assured,” he said.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd); Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Bashir Lado; and the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall.
