Group donates farm seedlings, food items to Cameroonian refugees in Cross River

As the farming season begins, a conservative group under the aegis of the Biakwan Light Green Initiative (BLGI), with support from the Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP), has empowered Cameroonian refugees living in the Cross River community with farm seedlings.

Refugees seeking refuge in Cross River make up a large population of the Biakwan community in the Boki Local Government Area due to the ongoing conflict in the southern region of the country.

The initiative provides seedlings for homestead vegetable farming practices, and a philanthropist who witnessed the event supported it with food items and clothes.

While presenting the items to the refugees, the Executive Director of the Biakwan Light Green Initiative, BLGI, Mr Peter Bette, said the idea of the support was to reduce pressure on the community forest, provide a livelihood to women, and enhance capacity through training to secure women’s rights and a food security pool.

Conservationist Odey Oyama commended the initiative by the environmental group, saying empowerment would achieve the goal.
However, he encouraged displaced persons to participate in the programme because Nigeria and Cameroon have complex and dynamic diplomatic relations.

Odey further explained that both countries are members of a regional organisation such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which promotes regional cooperation and integration.

The Board Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organisations Coalition for Environment (NGOCE), Dr. Odiga Odiga, encouraged the refugees and some community members who also benefited to take advantage of this opportunity and participate in all activities.

The renowned environmentalist assured beneficiaries that the project would promote sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, such as planting indigenous fruit trees and home gardens, to increase biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

On his part, the Town Council Chairman, Mr Joseph, praised BLGI for its commitment to support the project, noting that it will increase cooperation and strengthen relationships between refugees and host communities.

Responding to the gesture, refugee leader Elder Ben Kachi thanked the group for their gifts and support. He also thanked the host community for the hospitality they have received from 2017 until now. According to him, these are vast possibilities that cannot be taken for granted.

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