Makurdi, Benue State – July 29, 2025
In a major humanitarian gesture, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦1 billion to aid victims of the brutal June 13–14 attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The violence claimed over 100 lives and displaced hundreds of families, leaving the rural community in crisis.
A Lifeline for Survivors
Presenting the donation via cheque at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that the funds, disbursed through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), are aimed at immediate relief and long-term recovery. A key portion of the funds will go toward returning displaced children to school and rebuilding essential infrastructure.
“This support is about restoring dignity and hope to families who have lost so much. Education for affected children will be a top priority,” the First Lady said during the condolence visit.
Responding to a Humanitarian Emergency
Governor Hyacinth Alia, receiving the First Lady alongside top state officials, described the situation as “dire” and renewed his call for the creation of state police to combat persistent security threats. He also advocated for a national ranching policy to address the herder-farmer clashes that continue to destabilize the Middle Belt region.
The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, hailed the intervention but warned that recurring attacks must be addressed at their root. He described the killings as a “genocidal war” and highlighted Nasarawa State as a suspected base for the attackers—a concern Mrs. Tinubu pledged to take up with Nasarawa’s First Lady.
Symbol of Hope in a Troubled Region
The First Lady’s visit began at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, where she was received with full honors. Her pledge to prioritize education for displaced children aligns with national and international concerns, as conflict has disrupted schooling for over 10 million Nigerian children, according to the World Bank (2023).
The donation comes amid reports from Amnesty International documenting over 200 deaths in similar attacks since June 2025, making it one of the most significant personal interventions in the region’s recent history.
Looking Ahead
Mrs. Tinubu assured stakeholders of continued collaboration with state governments to prevent cross-border attacks and provide sustainable solutions to recurring violence. “This is not just about money; it is about rebuilding lives and communities,” she said.
For the survivors of Yelwata, the ₦1 billion donation represents not only financial relief but a renewed sense of national solidarity and hope.
