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UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr Raouf Mazou and Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will fully support initiatives that alleviate the suffering of Nigerians displaced by conflict and natural disasters within and outside its borders.
Shettima gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees led by its Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Raouf Mazou, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed the details of Wednesday’s meeting in a statement titled ‘We won’t abandon displaced persons – VP Shettima.’
The VP commended the UN system for its assistance to Nigeria over the years, saying, “I know how vital the UN system is. You have assisted us tremendously in addressing our challenges in the northeast and the nation as a whole.”
He assured the delegation of 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.
“For Nigeria, we will continue to accommodate our brother Africans displaced by conflict and natural disasters.
“I want to assure you that our partnership with the UN family will only be strengthened. We are open to new ideas for collaboration, especially the UN’s emphasis on sustainable resettlement of refugees.
“By embracing sustainable pathways in resettling people, we can avoid donor fatigue,” the VP emphasised.
Shettima also noted that the Nigerian government acknowledges and understands the difficulty of the situation in the Sahel, affirming that “there is an incestuous relationship between ecology, economy, and insecurity in the Sahelian region. There is endemic poverty further compounded by the fallout of climate change.”
He said the challenges experienced in the country were unique, assuring however that “the President is working round the clock to get things right. We are trying to diversify the economic base of the nation. We are working assiduously to fine-tune the structure.”
Earlier, Mazou highlighted Nigeria’s exemplary treatment of refugees and discussed plans for enhancing support and transitioning towards sustainable development strategies.
Mazou thanked the government, saying, “I would like to thank Nigeria for receiving a large number of refugees primarily from Cameroon.”
“Nigeria has been exemplary in its treatment of refugees. The host communities are playing an essential role in making sure that these persons are resettled.
“The World Bank has a facility for refugees and host communities and we would be accessing these facilities to see how we can bring additional support primarily to help the host communities.”
“We are now focusing on a shift primarily from providing humanitarian assistance to development. We are making sure that people become more self-reliant as much as possible,” he said
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.
Mazou said, “We are working with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation to tap into the resources of the private sector for this sustainable programming. We are moving away from humanitarian assistance to solutions.”
On voluntary repatriation, he said, “A good number of Nigerian refugees in neighbouring countries are returning. As much as possible, we are ensuring the voluntary return of those who want to go home.”
Also, the 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, among others.
