Worlds Refugee Day: Otu\’s Wife Seeks Safety, Social Inclusion For Refugees, Asylum Seekers

Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Reverend Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has promised to champion the right to seek safety, build support ,advance economic and social inclusion of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) and asylum seekers in Nigeria, starting from the state.

Speaking’s during the 2024 World Refugee Day held at Transcorp Hotels Calabar, the Governor\’s wife who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, Dr Inyang Asibong, emphasized the need for stakeholders, organizations and individuals to collaborate and address the underlying causes of displacement.

According to Reverend Otu, who spoke on the theme ‘Solidarity with Refugees’ the causes of displacement and durable solutions for refugees and asylum seekers should be a collective efforts.

She explained that the World Refugee Day is a day to shine light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees,assuring that she will use her office to help in mobilizing political will and resources to enable refugees not only to survive but to also thrive

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Cross River, Rt Hon Peter Odey, who represented Gov Bassey Otu, commended UNHCR and other development partners for their support to the State.

Odey while calling for an end to the root cause of displacement,said the State Government will continue to provide safety, support, and opportunities for refugees living in the state.

On his part, the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, said the state is not resting on its oars in bringing the much needed relief and rehabilitation to the Refugees.

Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, Represented by Mr Titus Mudekai, commended the Cross River State Government for its support and dedication to hosting refugees. He noted that Nigeria currently hosts 88,500 refugees and asylum seekers, with Cross River State hosting 64,000 of them.

The UNHCR Representative to Nigeria , Mr Arjun Juin, explained that majority of the Refugees in Cross River are from Cameroon as a result of the ongoing political and regional crises there. He commended the State Government for their tireless effort in combating the refugee crisis in Cross River.

On the eve of World Refugee Day, a high-level delegation paid a courtesy visit on the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu at the Government House in Calabar. The delegation included UNHCR Country Representative Mr. Arjun Jain,DG SEMA, Rev James Anam, SA Gender Mainstreaming, Dr Inyang Asibong, amongst others. This visit preceded the World Refugee Day commemoration, showcasing the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the refugee support ecosystem.

The World Refugee day is marked on the 20th of June yearly with this years theme harping on Solidarity with Refugees.

#SolidaritywithRefugees
#June 20