FG to Repatriate over 91,000 Nigerian Refugees from Cameroon in July

The federal government has said it will commence the voluntary repatriation of over 91,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon in July.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sadiya Farouk, disclosed this yesterday at the occasion to commemorate the 2018 World Refugees Day in Abuja.

She said the federal government, Cameroon and UNHCR had signed a Tripartite Agreement in March 2, 2017, which inaugurated the Tripartite Commission with an advanced Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure the modality for their return.
According to her, President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts to address the plight of refugees has commenced robust interventions geared toward a safe and voluntary return of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their abode.

“Tripartite Agreement was aimed at the voluntary repatriation of over 91,000 Nigerians refugees from Cameroon.
“Let me state here that the TWG has concluded concrete operational modalities and support measures, including setting the timetable and procedures to ensure the safe, dignified, voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon.

“All things being equal, the voluntary repatriation should commence in July, 2018,” she said.
Farouk according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) further said that Nigeria hosted 1960 urban refugees, 809 Asylum seekers persons from Africa, Middle East, Asia and Europe respectively.
Jose Antonio-Canhandula, Country Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, said Nigeria has more IDPs than refugees in the country.
He urged all humanitarian partners to find durable solutions to put an end to human want, stating that human beings should not be eternally dependent on humanitarian assistance.

By implication, he noted that he did not join the race for the office of the APC National Youth leader due to the recent recognition of his father’s mandate and the posthumous national honour conferred on the hero of democracy.

Rather, according to him, it is a decision born out of passion for public service and exigency of providing clear direction for the teeming population of Nigerian youths. I want to make my own mark. And I have consulted widely on this aspiration.

He equally commended President Buhari signing the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill into law recently, though noted that Buhari’s decision to sign the bill was long overdue.

He added that the vibrant youths of the country would take advantage of the law to further ensure their participation in the political landscape of the country.

The Abiola son noted that he ventured into politics without any godfather or support from the presidency, claiming that God “is my political father. I have no godfather.”

He noted that his late father gives him much inspiration, though claimed that beneficiaries of his father’s kindness could rally round and extend hands of fellowship to him.

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