Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
UNHCR Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Angele Dikongue-Atangana, has assured the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) of both technical and financial support for the Institute and the National Assembly.
She stated this during a courtesy visit to NILS office in Abuja.
This was contained in a press release made available to journalists in Abuja.
In her response, the Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) Dr. Ladi Hamalai commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) humanitarian activities in Nigeria.
She stated that it has become imperative to join efforts with the UNHCR to address the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North East.
According to Hamalai, “I thank the UNHCR for the motivation it gave to NILS, which led to the establishment of the House of Representatives Committee on IDP’s, Refugees and Initiatives of the North East and the launching of the handbook for parliamentarians on Internal Displacement: Responsibility and Action.
“I appreciate the effort of UNHCR which has gone beyond providing the daily needs, in areas of food and clothing but the provision of habitable housing for the IDPs. I assured that NILS will continue to push for appropriate legislation that would domesticate the provisions of the Kampala convention.”
The DG stated further that NILS will continue to push for appropriate legislation that would domesticate the provisions of the Kampala convention on internal displacements.
She however urged UNHCR to work towards the establishment of pilot Peace infrastructure initiatives, particularly in the troubled zones of the North-East, so as to help the youth acquire peace building and entrepreneurial skills so as to appreciate the importance of peace.
