Peer review: AU lauds Nigeria’s efforts on refugees, IDPs

The lead panel member, African Union Country Review Mission (AU-CRM) Team, Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, has commended Nigeria’s efforts to stem challenges of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He said this during its Sectoral Consultation for validation of Nigeria’s Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) as part of the ongoing Second Peer Review Process of the country.

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He was speaking when he led the Review Mission, accompanied by members of National Governing Council (NGC) of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Nigeria to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIPD) respectively.

Mr. Abolade Ogundimu, spokesman of the AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the CRM Team met with Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable Federal Commissioner, NCRMIDP and her Management on how IDPs, Refugees and Migrants were being treated in the Country amid COVID-19 pandemics and insecurity which is challenging the nation and the world.

According to him, the way Nigeria treats issue of the vulnerable groups is commendable and described the consultation as fruitful, open and a demonstration of exemplary manner.

“Nigeria 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.

Reacting to questions raised on IDPs and refugee related matters in Nigeria, Hajia Sulaiman-Ibrahim gave details of various peculiar strategies deployed by the Country through the Commission.

She said, “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 vulnerable 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 also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the wellbeing of refugees and other vulnerable groups in the county.

Dr. Louis Mandama, member, NGC-APRM Nigeria, 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.”