Stakeholders interested in the wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons in the country, have underscored the need for collective action towards ensuring a decent lives for all refugees.
The stakeholders made the made the call at a joint press conference on Friday in Abuja, organised to mark the 2026 World Refugee Day, with the theme, “Until Everyone is Safe.”
In his remarks, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, the Executive Director of Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative, the social arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said that the day was set aside to raise awareness.
According to him, the day is also to celebrate the courage, resilience, and dignity of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the globe.
The cleric said that the protection of refugees is a right and not a privilege saying that until everyone is safe, no one is safe.
He said that as a result of the rising violent conflict in the country and other neighbouring nations, many people are being displaced.
“It is a day to call for strategic collaboration between the government and difference takeholders in reaching out to the most displaced in their society.
“The government cannot do it alone. As a church, we are here to collaborate with the government. Many people are displaced, and we have so many development partners that are ready to work with the government.
“The responsibility should not be left to the government alone. The government should also create a conducive atmosphere to make it possible for order development partners to come in and work with them.
“It is their right to be protected, not a privilege. Beyond every refugee we see is a father, it’s a mother, a son, a brother, a sister created in the image and likeness of God. Despite where they are coming from, they must be protected. That is my message to the governor,” he said.
The cleric said that beyond every refugee seen is a father, a mother, a son, a brother, a sister created in the image and likeness of God and must be protected irrespective of origin or race.
Sanni said that the Abuja catholic archdiocese through the JDPCI, had provided skill acquisition programmes and free legal services for refugees and internally displaced persons.
Earlier, Mr Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) said that the day was to reflect on the pains of displacement and the collective efforts to restore hope to the affected population.
He said that there are no fewer than 6.1 million IDPs and 140 refugees in the country and that efforts are ongoing to ensure their wellbeing and access to basic amenities.
“The government through various initiatives had establish resettlement cities, livelihood programmes, ensured health care, education, provision of Convention Travel Documents.
“As we join the global community to mark this year’s Refugee Day, I urge all well-meaning individuals, organisations, humanitarian partners to continue to show empathy to the displaced population by providing the needed support especially, now that the UNHCR is witnessing shrinking resources to finance its operations.
“To the refugees, as you enjoy Nigeria as a home away from home, I urge you to see yourselves as partners in nation-building rather than a burden to your host country,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy County Representative of UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Ms Bernadette Muteshi said that the theme, challenges stereotypes about refugees.
She said that is also emphasises the right to seek safety is a lifeline that goes beyond merely escaping war or violence.
“It complements the UNHCR’s recently outlined goal of reducing by more than half, over the next decade, the number of refugees in long-term displacement reliant on humanitarian assistance.
“To achieve this, it will be essential to expand opportunities for voluntary return and resettlement, as well as access to jobs, healthcare and education, and support for local integration – enabling refugees to move beyond survival and rebuild their lives in dignity.
“No one chooses to leave everything they love behind; it is a heart-wrenching reality that can happen to anyone, at any moment.
“The right to seek safety is a sacred promise of shared humanity, and until everyone is safe, we must keep standing together.
“UNHCR is calling on everyone worldwide to join in raising their voices and help keep the promise of safety for everyone alive, until everyone is safe,” she said.