By Charles Igwe
Most Rev. Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, has generously awarded scholarships to over 250 children living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps located in Anyiin and Ugba, towns within the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Bishop Dugu announced that more than 200 children from Anyiin have already been enrolled in primary schools, with an additional 50 children enrolled in Ugba under the sponsorship of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala. The Bishop emphasized that the primary aim of this initiative is to offer these children access to education as a means of empowerment, helping to prevent a future where they might become societal burdens.
Furthermore, 24 children from the IDP camps have been admitted into secondary schools—St. Paul’s Secondary School, Kyado; Divine Love Catholic Girls’ Secondary School; and St. Gerald’s Secondary School, Katsina-Ala—while two have continued their education in Enugu. All of these students are being fully sponsored by the Diocese.
Bishop Dugu reiterated the Diocese’s commitment to providing education for all IDP children who are willing to learn, emphasizing the goal of emptying the IDP camps through education. He noted the difficulty these displaced persons face in returning to their ancestral lands due to the continued threat of armed herdsmen.
A primary school has already been established for the children of IDP camps within the premises of St. Athanasius Parish in Anyiin. The school is fully equipped with the necessary facilities to ensure that no child is denied the right to education. Bishop Dugu lamented that many of these children were born in the camps and have never experienced formal education.
The Bishop also promised that the Diocese would support these children throughout their educational journey, even offering opportunities for them to spend part of their holidays with members of the Diocesan family outside the camps to provide them with a sense of belonging. He stated that the children have now become adopted members of the Diocese.
Motivated by the words of Jesus in John 10:10—“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”—Bishop Dugu explained that, as a shepherd, he feels a responsibility to address both the spiritual and physical needs of the people. He emphasized that education is pivotal to breaking the cycles of poverty and ignorance.
