The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion to support the victims of recent attacks in Plateau State.

Mrs. Tinubu, who was visiting Plateau State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the killings and displacements, made the donations through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

She was received at the airport by Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other top government officials.

The First Lady addressed the residents at the Government House in Jos, where she expressed sadness at seeing the suffering of the victims.

Mrs. Tinubu, who also donated 1,800 bags of 50kg rice to the victims, said: “My heart bleeds as a mother beholding orphans and widows as refugees in their communities.”

Commenting on her visit, she said: “This visit is one filled with mixed emotions for me. I came here first as a mother whose heart bleeds each time I hear about killings, violence, or bloodshed.

“It took me some time to respond, but I want to assure you that this will be the last time I will respond to such a situation in Plateau State. I pray that God will honour this. From now on, it shall be for the progress of the state.

“We women don’t fight. Women don’t carry arms. So, we came here to appeal to the men. Do something to protect us. Women want to farm. Do whatever it takes to protect them.”

Mrs. Tinubu also appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

The First Lady, who decried the attacks on innocent villagers, stressed that it was time to end the killings.

She described the use of violence to get anything as evil and unfortunate.

Mrs. Tinubu prayed to God to make it easy for the victims to recover from the impacts of the attacks on their communities.

Governor Mutfwang expressed appreciation to the First Lady for her kind gesture, pledging to restore peace to the state.

The governor also promised to ensure that no part of the donations goes missing but spent to meet the needs of the victims.

He said his administration remained committed to ensuring total peace on the Plateau.

Mutfwang described the intervention as timely.

Dignitaries on the entourage of the First Lady included the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Abbas; wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila; erstwhile senator representing Plateau South, Nora Ladi Daduut; and wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laylah Barau.

Other personalities at the event included former Governor, now representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, one-time Military Administrator of Plateau State, Rear Admiral Simon Bitrus Atukum, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.