The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, has painted a stark picture of his homeland, describing Idoma land as a “wounded traveller” in a passionate appeal for unity and action. Speaking on Saturday at the maiden annual convention of the Idoma Association in London, Moro challenged sons and daughters of the Idoma Nation, both at home and abroad, to confront the twin scourges of insecurity and underdevelopment that have gripped the region.
Drawing from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, Moro posed a pointed question to his audience: “History is asking each of us a simple but profound question: Will we pass by, or will we stop and help?” His words were not just a reflection on heritage but a call to arms against the persistent violence that has plagued Benue South, leaving families displaced and ancestral farmlands abandoned.
Moro, who has repeatedly raised the security crisis on the Senate floor, acknowledged recent steps by the federal government, including President Bola Tinubu’s approval of new Nigerian Army divisions, with one headquartered in Makurdi. He argued that such moves would cut response times to security breaches. But he was quick to stress that government efforts alone would not be enough. “The future we desire cannot be built by political leaders alone,” he insisted, urging the diaspora to step up through advocacy, investment, philanthropy, and knowledge transfer.
Beyond security, Moro laid out a vision for economic revival, calling on Idoma professionals and entrepreneurs abroad to channel resources into agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and small businesses. The goal, he said, is to move from simply helping individuals to building lasting institutions that can sustain future generations.
He also took stock of his own achievements, citing the establishment of the North Central Development Commission and the Federal College of Agriculture and Technology in Opialu-Ojapo, along with projects in education, healthcare, rural electrification, and youth empowerment. Yet, he did not shy away from the harsh realities, warning that “displacement is becoming genocide by neglect” and “hunger is becoming a weapon.” He called on the international community and human rights groups to pay closer attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Benue South.
In a plea that resonated beyond politics, Moro urged the Benue State Government to provide more logistical support to security forces in the region. “When a part of Nigeria bleeds, the whole nation bleeds,” he declared, demanding troops, intelligence, and justice to stem the tide of violence.
Finally, the senator turned to culture, urging Idoma people in the UK and beyond to preserve their identity, especially the Idoma language. “I enjoin you to ensure that every Idoma son and daughter speaks the Idoma language,” he said, calling for unity over division. For Moro, the path to a prosperous homeland lies not in waiting for salvation but in collective resolve, both at home and across the seas.
