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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu on Monday reaffirmed the commitment of the state to continue to be accessible and offer to all displaced people looking for safety from violent conflicts and disaster non-discriminatory assistance.
The State will continue to be a refugee-friendly metropolis, according to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and would offer employment possibilities to displaced people who are sincerely trying to start over.
During a commemorative event held in Lagos to mark World Refugees Day, the Governor made the commitment. At the occasion, Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged Lagos as a city with refugees by signing a document.
An estimated 84,000 refugees from other African nations have arrived in Nigeria. Lagos is now receiving 611 asylum seekers and 1,656 registered refugees from 34 different countries; the majority of these people have been absorbed into local communities to begin a new life.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos views providing protection to refugees as a moral duty enshrined in human rights rather than a privilege. He claimed that regardless of a person’s gender, age, nationality, religion, or place of origin, the State had maintained a non-discriminatory policy to uphold their rights when seeking safety.
He said: “It gladdens our heart as a Government to receive the validation that Lagos is a city with refugees. I make further pledge that we will continue to make the State a refugee-friendly city and a land of opportunity for refugees legitimately seeking to rebuild their lives here. As a Government leader, my administration will continue to offer protection and provide the ambience for displaced persons to improve their well-being.
“No matter what the political belief, religion, tribe or gender of anyone seeking safety in our communities from violent conflicts, we will not do anything that will make them uncomfortable living in the State. Once we give the refugees social protection, we believe they can use their talents and energy to flourish, thereby contributing their own quota to the development of their host communities and the State’s economic growth.”
Sanwo-Olu, however, spoke to the root cause of the refugees’ proliferation, appealing to political actors to fashion out ways to amicably resolve disagreements that have the potential to result in violent conflicts.
This, the Governor said, is necessary to stem the growing number of persons running away from their communities due to violent conflicts. He said the global refugee figures remained an “embarrassing number” to humanity, calling for restraint among warring global leaders.
Sanwo-Olu hailed the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs (NCFRMI), United States Government and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for responding to the challenges of displaced persons.
“I’m also using this platform to enjoin Lagosians to exhibit the true spirit of the State, by welcoming all asylum seekers who have genuine interest to be part of their communities. The refugees must not be forced to return to where their lives and well-being would be threatened again,” the Governor said.
Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, called for more action to address discrimination against refugees in non-conflict zones, pointing out that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War had aggravated the crisis of refugee.
Represented by Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, the minister said Nigeria would continue to respect the provisions of the 1951 Convention on Refugee, stressing that international best practice would be employed in handling the IDPs across the country.
NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Hajia Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman, said the signing of the Declaration of Lagos as a ‘City With Refugees’ signified “a defining moment” with global significance.
The signing, she said, underscored the place of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and other Persons of Concern (PoCs) in the heart of Lagos.
“Under the current leadership, Lagos has created inclusiveness and promoted hope for refugees and other PoCs through favourable policies in the areas of education, health and social services. With the signing, Lagos is going to join other league of towns and cities in the world that have signed the Declaration”, Ibrahim-Sulaiman said.
According to Ms. Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, the memorial was established as a day to foster empathy, honor the fortitude and bravery of refugees, as well as to recognize their resiliency and take action to alleviate their predicament.
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She pleaded with world leaders to take action and join forces to address the issues related to refugees.
Zemkwe Nekuna, a lawyer and refugee from Cameroon, spoke for all international refugees in Nigeria when he presented the government with a letter of gratitude for providing them with the opportunity to rise above their situation.
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