Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured donor organizations and development partners that the Tinubu administration will fully support initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of persons displaced by conflict and natural disasters within and outside Nigeria's borders.
The Vice President gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) led by its Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Raouf Mazou, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Commending the UN system for its assistance to Nigeria over the years, the VP said, he knows how vital the UN system is.
He said they have assisted nigeria tremendously in addressing its challenges in the northeast and the nation as a whole, assuring the delegation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's continued collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders in addressing critical issues affecting the well-being of citizens and other persons affected by conflict and natural disasters in the country and elsewhere.
Senator Shettima noted that the Nigerian government acknowledges and understands the difficulty of the situation in the Sahelian region, noting that "there is an incestuous relationship between ecology, economy, and insecurity in the Sahelian region. He said the challenges experienced in the country were unique, assuring however that "the President is working round the clock to get things right.
Earlier, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Mazou, highlighted Nigeria's exemplary treatment of refugees and discussed plans for enhancing support and transitioning towards sustainable development strategies.
Mr. Mazou expressed gratitude to Nigeria, saying, "I would like to thank Nigeria for receiving a large number of refugees primarily from Cameroon.”
According to him, this new approach aims to address long-standing issues of dependency on aid and facilitate easier reintegration when refugees return to their home countries.
On the issue of voluntary repatriation, he said, "A good number of Nigerian refugees in neighbouring countries are returning. As much as possible, govt is ensuring the voluntary return of those who want to go home." Also, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, commended Nigeria's adherence to international conventions.
Also present at the meeting were the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall; UNHCR Director, Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde; Senior External Engagement Coordinator, Bureau for West and Central Africa, Ms. Lara Scholtterbeck; UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Arjun Jain, and Associate Protection Officer, Olubunmi Olaonipekun, among others.
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