IDP’s becoming a tribe in Nigeria — Catholic Bishop

Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, has said the growing rate of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), in Nigeria is fast becoming a tribe.

Kigama stated this on Tuesday while interacting with newsmen at the end of the opening mass of the 16th General Assembly of the archdiocese in Jos.

He said, “I was in Taraba I saw many camps of the IDP’s, I was in Benue I saw many camp of the IDP’s and coming back to Plateau I saw many of them, so it’s almost becoming like a tribe and with this growing rate, Nigeria has acquired the tribe of internally displaced persons which is very unfortunate.

“It is not enough to offer them relive materials, but to find a permanent solution to the lingering problem and the solution will be what is responsible for their being driven away from there homes in the first place and how to constructively reengage the concerned authorities to return the IDP’s back to their homes”.

Kaigama also said tribalism, ethnic jingoism, religious bigotry and other divisive tendencies have over time constituted a serious bane in the developmental stride of the nation.

“It’s unfortunate that in Nigeria, we tend to harp more on things that divide us over those that unite us.

“I often hear people talk more about ethnic, political and religious divisions, rather than merit, hard work and togetherness”, he said.