From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari, has regretted the devastating effects of the recent flooding incidents that occurred throughout the nation, which resulted in the eviction of millions of people, the destruction of vast amounts of property, farmland, and infrastructure. He reassured that his dministration remains fully committed to the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians at all times.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to helping all internally displaced persons by offering long-lasting solutions that guarantee their rehabilitation, reintegration, and resettlement back into society.
He gave the assurance at the National Day for Displaced Persons (IDPs) with the theme: “Journey so far, future of durable solutions.” It is a national celebration dedicated to celebrate people in the country who have been displaced by both man-made and natural disasters.
Represented by his Chief or Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, the President, while commending the resilience of the IDPs, recalled that it was the increasing incidence of forced displacement resulting from ethnic, religious, economic and boundary conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, and its attendant massive destruction to lives and property that compelled the Federal Government to embark on a search for durable solutions through the drafting and signing of a National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons by FEC in 2021.
He said the event was to raise awareness on the plight of IDPs in Nigeria by recognising their courage and resilience while ensuring their participation in society and relevant decisions that affect them and promote their empowerment.
Buhari noted that this year’s celebration offers the opportunity as a nation to publicly and symbolically demonstrate “our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have lost their livelihood, their homes and even their loved ones to displacement.”
Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Imaan Ibrahim, disclosed that the increasing effect of climate change and particularly the debilitating effect of flood across the country has resulted to about 40 percent increase in the figure of IDPs, bringing the number of displaced persons to about 5 million from 3.4 million as contained in 2021 Displacement Tracking Matrix carried out by (UNHCR) Matrix Index as well as the International Organization of Migration (IOM). She said this has led to significant loss of many lives, properties and livelihood.