By Ahmed ‘Lateef
A Lecturer at the Centre fohr Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr (Mrs) Abiola Ruth Adimula, has expressed concern over upsurge in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
She disclosed that the recent statistics showing that over 2.4million IDPs are in Nigeria calls for a better approach in addressing some of the problems forcing people to flee their homes.
In a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday to commemorate 2020 World Refugee Day, Dr Adimula said it was incumbent on the government to provide good health facilities, welfare items and economic empowerment for the displaced persons.
The don, who is a prominent legal practitioner, noted that the provision of the facilities for the IDPs would enable them cater for themselves and contribute their quota to their societies. Dr Adimula similarly mobilized global action to support refugees, internally displaced and stateless people as well as their hosts, saying that their pathetic condition leaves much to be desired.
“As the world celebrates the World Refugee Day, Nigerian government is called upon to make more proactive measure to ensure good health facilities, provision of welfare items and economic empowerment of IDPs, to enable them cater for themselves and contribute their quota to their respective societies.
“The clarion call for greater global solidarity and action is to include and support refugees, internally displaced and stateless people as well as their hosts.
“Whoever you are. No matter where you come from. Every one of us can make a difference. Every action truly counts- Do an action today to support the refugees and the IDPs”, she said. The don, a one-time Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Kwara State, urged host communities to welcome refugees with open arms, pointing out that they would be spurred to contribute socially and economically especially in this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Adimula said, “The least we can do is to welcome refugees into our communities. If refugees are accepted and welcomed and have a chance to learn and grow, then they will contribute socially and economically to their receiving countries, and to the community. It is high time we acknowledged the strength, courage, perseverance of refugees and the contributions they make to communities around the world.
“In this COVID-19 challenging time, we have seen a connectedness that transcends borders. Ordinary people have stepped up to help”.
