Senate Minority Leader and senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, has described Idoma land as a “wounded traveller,” urging sons and daughters of the Idoma Nation at home and in the diaspora to unite in addressing the security and developmental challenges confronting the region.
Moro made the remarks on Saturday while delivering an address at the maiden annual convention of the Idoma Association, United Kingdom, in London.
He said the celebration of Idoma heritage should also serve as an opportunity for the people to reflect on the future of their homeland, particularly amid insecurity, displacement and economic challenges.
“Today, Idoma land is that wounded traveller,” Moro said, drawing from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.
“History is asking each of us a simple but profound question: Will we pass by, or will we stop and help?”
The senator said the persistent insecurity in Benue South had resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of families and abandonment of ancestral farmlands.
He said he had consistently raised the security situation on the floor of the Senate and advocated stronger federal intervention, improved security architecture and greater protection for affected communities.
Moro noted that the creation of additional Nigerian Army divisions by President Bola Tinubu, including one headquartered in Makurdi, would help reduce operational response time to security breaches in Benue.
He, however, stressed that government action alone would not be sufficient to secure lasting peace and prosperity, urging Idoma people in the diaspora to complement government efforts through advocacy, investment, philanthropy and knowledge transfer.
“The future we desire cannot be built by political leaders alone. It is the collective responsibility of every Idoma son and daughter, whether at home or in the diaspora,” he said.
Moro also called on Idoma professionals and entrepreneurs abroad to invest in the homeland, particularly in agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality and small and medium-scale enterprises.
According to him, the objective should be to move beyond supporting individuals to building institutions and creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.
He highlighted some of the interventions he said had been secured for Benue South during his tenure, including the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, the Federal College of Agriculture and Technology, Opialu-Ojapo, as well as projects in education, healthcare, rural electrification, water supply, roads, youth empowerment and skills acquisition.
He called on the Benue State Government to provide additional logistics support to security personnel operating in the region.
“When a part of Nigeria bleeds, the whole nation bleeds,” he said, calling for troops, intelligence, logistics and justice to address the security crisis.
Moro further appealed to the international community and human rights organisations to pay greater attention to the humanitarian situation in Benue South.
“Displacement is becoming genocide by neglect. Hunger is becoming a weapon,” he said.
He assured the people of Benue South that he would continue to speak out against the killings until peace returned to affected communities.
The Senate Minority Leader also urged Idoma people in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world to preserve their cultural identity, particularly the Idoma language.
“I enjoin you to ensure that every Idoma son and daughter speaks the Idoma language,” he said.
Moro called for greater unity among Idoma people at home and abroad, saying the people must reject divisions and work collectively towards building a prosperous homeland.
Herdsmen attacks: ‘Idoma land is a wounded traveller’ — Abba Moro