By Peter Omopo
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, has assured Nigerians displaced by conflict and disaster of the Federal Government’s determination to restore their dignity through comprehensive rehabilitation and protection programmes.
Speaking with journalists in Jos on Monday, Dr. Doro said his ministry’s mission was to “make hope a reality” for the poor, vulnerable, and internally displaced across the country, stressing that humanitarian intervention must be viewed as both a right and a duty of government.
“We will pursue a humanitarian response not as charity, but as a right and a responsibility of government,” he declared. “Every intervention must translate into food on the table, roofs over heads, children in school, and livelihoods restored.”
The minister outlined his strategic priorities, which include strengthening social protection systems, expanding poverty alleviation initiatives, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches people in real need, not just those in the public eye.
“In the coming months, we will work closely with state governments, local communities, development partners, traditional rulers, and faith-based organisations to build a seamless humanitarian network across Nigeria,” Doro said.
He identified Plateau State as a model for inclusive humanitarian action, pledging that “every displaced person will be accounted for, every vulnerable household supported, and every youth empowered with skills and opportunity.”
Doro also described his appointment as a “collective mandate,” saying, “This is not my appointment alone—it is ours. Together, we will show that Plateau can lead the way in humanitarian leadership, social inclusion, and compassionate governance.”
Emphasising transparency and collaboration, the minister invited the media, civil society, and development partners to hold the ministry accountable.
“I stand before you not as one who knows it all, but as one ready to listen, to learn, and to serve. With God’s help and your support, we will deliver a ministry that restores dignity, rebuilds communities, and renews hope,” he concluded.
