The African Union Country Review Mission (AU-CRM) team, has expressed satisfaction with federal government’s efforts towards addressing the challenges of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) in the country.
Lead Panel member of the mission Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, gave the commendation when he led the Review Mission, accompanied by Members of National Governing Council (NGC) of African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Nigeria to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIPD) in Abuja.
Janneh noted how IDPs, Refugees and Migrants were being treated in amid COVID-19 pandemic and insecurity describing the gesture as “fruitful, open and a demonstration of exemplary manner.
“Nigeria’s approach in treating very difficult issue of Refugees and IDPs may be described as the best example on how to integrate them into a larger society,” he said.
Responding, the NCRMIPD Federal Commissioner Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the commission has deployed various peculiar strategies to address the issue of refugees and IDP’s.
“We have Gender-sensitive resettlement initiative for single mothers and widows in our IPDs and refugee camps, while we also have transitional learning programme for the vulnerables in order to integrate them into the society.
“There is provision for refugees of school going age to acquire free basic education from primary one to Junior Secondary school (JSS) 3 as available to all Nigerians in public schools.
“The Nigerian refugees are not only from Africa but also Asia and the Commission ensures their enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),” she said.
Suleiman-Ibrahim disclosed that the National Policy on Refugees and IDPs would soon be further strengthened to enhance Nigeria’s compliance with Kampala Convention on Refugees and other vulnerable groups.
She Commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the wellbeing of refugees and other vulnerable groups in the county.
“I commend the commitment of Princess Akobundu-led APRM to the Review Process which is capable of giving room for great reforms in the country,” she said.
Also speaking, a member of the NG APRM Nigeria, Dr. Louis Mandama, representing Sen. Abba Ali said ” upon completion of the ongoing Review Process of Nigeria, it will not only benefit the Country but the entire Continent”.
