…says the Government will make Cross River State home for refugees.
By Balimwor Ekpe
Ahead of the forthcoming World Refugee Day celebration on June 20, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Country Representative, Arjun Jain, paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu on Wednesday.
During the interaction, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, emphasized that the UNHCR is a valued ally of Cross River State and assured that the state would maintain this partnership for as long as necessary. Odey also noted that some refugees have integrated so well that they now speak the local languages.
While highlighting the state’s goal of ensuring that refugees who depart carry fond memories of their time in Cross River, he decried a situation where some refugees felt entitled and believed that the UNHCR or Government should provide all their needs.
Speaking further, Odey commended the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Rev. James Anam, for swiftly grasping his responsibilities and actively promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.
Speaking earlier, the Country Representative expressed profound gratitude to the Cross River State Government for its hosting of 60% of all Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria. He commended the state for including refugees in its social safety net program, which enables them to benefit from various state programs designed for vulnerable populations.
The representative highlighted the state’s progressive policies that allow refugees to work and move freely within Cross River, fostering a sense of independence and dignity among the refugee community. He expressed the UNHCR’s gratitude for these positive policies while pledging that the UNHCR will continue to work towards the peaceful coexistence of refugees and host communities.
The visit, which is part of the UNHCR’s efforts to sensitize the public and raise awareness about the significance of World Refugee Day, underscores the critical role that local governments play in the global refugee response and also reaffirms the UNHCR’s commitment to supporting both refugees and host communities. As we mark the World Refugee Day, this collaboration sets a hopeful tone for continued support and integration of refugees in Cross River State.
