First published by NAN
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) have restated its commitment to the care and livelihood of refugees in the country.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, made the commitment at a Town Hall Meeting with Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Abuja and environ on Friday in Abuja.
The meeting was organised by NCFRMI in collaboration with United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that refugees in attendance included those from Southern Cameroon, Republic of Chad, Syria, Palestine, Eritrea, Congo, DR Congo and Central African Republic.
She said the meeting was long overdue, adding that the commission will continue to work closely with the refugees so as to get the right kind of solutions that are desired and strengthen the response for all Persons of Concern (PoC).
“Nigeria is a welcoming country for all. Globally, there are treaties that have been signed and we are committed to ensuring that we hold-up to our own end of the bargain.
“So, we will continue to do more to strengthen the whole process. It is work in progress, especially the post COVID-19 where we envisage challenges.
“I want to assure that we will deliver on our mandate for you. Every issue you raised will be attended to.
“We are having this meeting in the early part of the year so that it can help us in our planning. We are committed to your livelihood, protection and well-being,” she assured.
The UNHCR’s Deputy Representative, Mr John Mckissick, thanked the commission for bringing the refugees to the meeting.
“UNHCR and NCFRMI are working closely together on urban refugees in Lagos and Abuja. We work in terms of protection, document, respect for rights of refugees and many more.
“We also work with refugees in settlements in Taraba, Benue, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, and they are given opportunities for livelihood.
“However, we are working in a programme that Nigerian Refugees in Cameroon, will come back home. The next step is Nigerian Refugees in Niger Republic to come back home.
“So, those are something we are working on, to soon welcome them, because they have gone for a long time. We did a survey and about 80 per cent of them want to come back home,” Mckissick said.
NAN also reports that while some of the refugees complaint about insecurity affecting them, others praised Nigeria for the peace they are enjoying. (NAN)