{"id":5447,"date":"2013-06-24T10:27:40","date_gmt":"2013-06-24T10:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigerian-newspapers\/400000-nigerians-living-like-refugees-says-commission\/"},"modified":"2013-06-24T10:27:40","modified_gmt":"2013-06-24T10:27:40","slug":"400000-nigerians-living-like-refugees-says-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/400000-nigerians-living-like-refugees-says-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"400,000 Nigerians living like refugees, says Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons says that Nigeria has 400,000 persons living in “refugee-like situation\u2019\u2019.
Hajiya Hadiza Kangiwa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, said this on Sunday in Abuja, while speaking at the World Refugees Day solidarity concert organised by the commission.
The concert was organised as part of the activities lined up to mark the World Refugees Day.
“In Nigeria, we host over 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers; Nigeria\u2019s displaced persons living in `refugee-like situation\u2019 are over 400, 000 persons.
“These are individuals and families whose lives have been upended, whose communities have been destroyed and whose future remains uncertain.
“We hope people will reflect on how they can join hands with the government and NGOs to help these people who have lost everything, to show solidarity for refugees and displaced people around the world,\u2019\u2019 she said.
On a global scale, Kangiwa noted that more than 44 million people around the world had been forcibly displaced from their homes and communities.
She stressed that more than one million fled their countries in 2012, due to a wave of conflicts in Mali, Syria and Somalia, amongst others.
Kangiwa said that the concert was organised to pay tribute to courageous people, who were the unwavering hope of the world\u2019s refugees and displaced persons.
She added that the concert was to create public awareness of the plight of the refugees.
Speaking, the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, gave the assurance that the Federal Government had always remained committed to the principles of international protection for refugees and asylum seekers in Nigeria.
Turaki said that the government was working in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to enhance the welfare of refugees, while protecting asylum seekers and providing assistance for them.
“The asylum regime in Nigeria is one of the most generous in Africa in that asylum applications are processed swiftly and fairly, while refugees are not detained or denied freedom of movement.
“Many refugees are gainfully employed and they are contributing to the national economy like many other Nigerian citizens; however, many of them remain vulnerable and are in need of special care,\u2019\u2019 he said.
Speaking on behalf of the refugees in Nigeria, Dr Djibrine Kadjiam, the Chairman of Chadian Refugees in Nigeria, who was represented by another refugee, Mr Beguy Benjamin, said that the Chadians in Nigeria were more than 10,000.
Kadjiam, however, appealed to the Federal Government to make clear distinction between refugees and asylum seekers and those perpetrating crimes in the country.
He called for more support in the areas of health, shelter, education, protection and working permits. (NAN)<\/p>\n

The post 400,000 Nigerians living like refugees, says Commission appeared first on Peoples Daily Newspaper, Nigeria.<\/p>\n

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