Theophilus Danjuma Heads Nigeria’s Victims Support Fund on Terror Attack

Retired army general and multi-billionaire, Theophilus Danjuma will head the Federal Government’s Committee on Victims Support Fund for victims of insurgency and terror attacks across the country. The committee is expected to be inaugurated on Wednesday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting. According to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, the committee is to mobilize resources and administer appropriate support to victims of insurgency and Boko Haram terror activities across the country. Mr. Anyim said President Goodluck Jonathan approved the composition and appointment of members of the committee, which has Theophilus Danjuma as Chairman and Fola Adeola as Deputy Chairman. Mr. Danjuma, a retired general, was former Defence Minister, while Mr. Adeola is a co-founder of GTBank. The committee also has several Nigerian billionaires and prominent politicians as members. Some other members include Mohammed Indimi, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Sani Dauda, Folorunsho Alakija, Cosmas Maduka, Jim Ovia, Wale Tinubu, Sani Sidi, and Tony Omenyi. Others are Salisu Fagge, representing Nigerian Police Force; Sayana Yusuf, representing Department of State Services; Uche Secondus, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South); Tijani Tunsah, APC Deputy National Chairman (North); Representative of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Representative of Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI); and Nkechi Mba, Representing National Council of Women Societies. Others include Ben Angwe, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission; Representative of the United Nations; Representative of Department for International Development; Representative of United States Agency for International Development ; Representative of International Committee of the Red Cross; Balarabe Musa, representing Conference of Nigerian Political Parties; two representatives of local civil society/youth groups (male and female) and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Secretariat. The terms of reference for the committee include: To identify sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of Boko Haram terror activities; To develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising; To ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and economic assets affected by Boko Haram terror activities. To assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case; To manage, disburse or administer support to the victims as appropriate; To address related challenges as may be appropriate; and to advise Government on other matter(s) necessary or incidental to support victims of Boko Haram terror activities.