Shettima: We Won’t Abandon Persons Displaced By Conflicts, Natural Disasters

•UN applauds Tinubu’s progressive refugee policies

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, assured global donor organisations and development partners that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would fully support initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of persons displaced by conflict and natural disasters within and outside Nigeria’s borders.

Shettima gave the assurance while playing host to 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 State House, Abuja.

Commending the United Nations system for its assistance to Nigeria over the years, the vice-president said, “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 team of President 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,” he emphasised.

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.

Mazou expressed gratitude to Nigeria, 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.”

On his part, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, commended Nigeria’s adherence to international conventions.