By Stanley Ugochukwu, Features Editor
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons(NCFRMI) has restated the importance of using a multi-stakeholder approach and collaboration with Civil Society Organizations to implement sustainable policies and goals for migration activities in Nigeria.
The Commission also plans to fully commit to the promotion of constructive dialogue and resilient governance in Nigeria.
These facts were made known in a welcome speech read at the start of the National Migration Dialogue (NMD) by Haj. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honorable Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
The two-day event holding at the International Conference Center had a full house of attendants and participants from the Federal, States government, International Partners as well as non-governmental organizations.
An elated Haj. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed to the audience that this year’s National Migration Dialogue was not only a rallying point for all those concerned with the protection of migrants, it was also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and express gratitude to migrants for their significant contribution to socio-economic and cultural development in Nigeria.
According to her, this celebration was to be observed as a day for dissemination of information pertaining to human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, sharing of experiences and undertaking actions to ensure the protection of migrants.
She explained that Nigeria, as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants has through the Refugee Commission established the National Migration Dialogue (NMD) in 2014 to mark the Annual Global International Migrants Day. ‘The NCFRMI and the Civil Society Network for Migration Development (CSOnetMADE) therefore use this opportunity to recognize the contributions made by millions of migrants to the economies of their hosts and home countries and to further promote respect for human rights”, she observed.
Harping on the theme: “Strategies for the sustainability of Migration governance in Nigeria, Haj. Imaan expressed her desire to provide a veritable platform for Civil Society Organizations to deepen the dialogue by engaging with and probing the sustainability of Migration activities in Nigeria. “We are persuaded that Civil Society Organizations are critical stakeholders in the Nigerian Migration governance framework due to their participation at the grassroots and their support for migration policy development “she announced.
The Honorable Commissioner said the Commission was pleased with the work of Civil Society Organizations in the migration space and the commission will continue to support all efforts aimed at improving migration management in Nigeria particularly in the area of Return, Readmission, Resettlement and Reintegration
Haj. Imaan then acknowledged the valuable contribution and unflinching support of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as Sadiya Umar Farouk, the supervisory minister, for her vision and tenacity.
She also hailed the contributions of international stakeholders notably the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the International Organization for Migration, the European Union for its initiative for migrant’s protection and reintegration.
