A Nigerian, who is the Director, Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School, Zannah Mustapha, has won the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) 2017 Nansen Refugees Award, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Mustapha, the first Nigerian Laureate of the award, will be unveiled on Monday in Abuja.
UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council said yesterday that Mustapha was chosen as the winner of the award for his humanitarian work in championing the rights of children.
They noted that Mustapha’s NGO not only provides education for children but also caters to the needs of orphans, widows and abandoned children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, thereby bringing succour to them.
In a statement issued in Geneva yesterday and made available to NAN, Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said: “Education is one of the most powerful tools for helping refugee children overcome the horrors of violence and forced displacement.
“It empowers young people, equips them with skills and works to counter exploitation and recruitment by armed groups.
“Conflict can leave children with physical and emotional scars that are deep and lasting as it forces them from their homes, exposes them to unspeakable atrocities and often rips apart their families.
“The work Mustapha and his team are doing is of the utmost importance, helping to foster a peaceful coexistence and rebuild communities in North-Eastern Nigeria. With this award, we honour his vision and services.”
Speaking with NAN in Abuja, the UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Jose-Antonio Canhandula, said Mustapha was recognised for his efforts in championing the rights of children.
“In addition to his education work, Mustapha has demonstrated a commitment to helping all parts of the society affected by the conflict which includes setting up cooperatives for widows and supporting nearly 600 women in Maiduguri.
“The UNHCR recognises his role as a mediator between the government and the insurgents for the release of the 82 Chibok girls and the 21 young women held captive by Boko Haram for two years.”
