Connect with us

News

ActionAid: Conceited Efforts of All Needed for Seamless Migration of Returned Migrants

Published

on

ActionAid: Conceited Efforts of All Needed for Seamless Migration of Returned Migrants

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has called for conceited efforts from all sections of the society to make reintegration of returned migrants seamless in the country.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the at the Community Forum on Sustainable Reintegration of Returned Migrants in Nigeria and Project inception meeting for the ActionAid, GIZ RECONNECT Project, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said all stakeholders should identify the barriers that still exist in seamless reintegration of returned migrants into the society and find solutions together.

He said: “This forum is a space for that kind of critical dialogue, and it is my hope that as we engage over the next few hours, we can begin to chart a way forward for more effective, inclusive, and sustainable reintegration practices.

“At ActionAid Nigeria, we recognise that sustainable reintegration is not a one-off conversation. It is an ongoing process that requires continuous engagement, collaboration, and action. That is why we are launching this forum as a biannual event. We envision this forum as a “community of practice” platform where stakeholders from different sectors, ranging from government agencies to civil society organizations, development partners, and returned migrants themselves, can come together to share insights, experiences, and best practices.”

Mamedu, who was represented by AAN Deputy Country Director, Hajia Suwaiba Dankabo, said: “So, I invite all of us—whether as organisations, institutions, or individuals—to take a moment to critically assess the state of our work. Are we truly meeting the needs of the individuals we serve? Are our interventions making a lasting difference? Are we ensuring that our work is sustainable and impactful in the long run? It is only by having these difficult conversations, not just within our own organisations but across the entire community, that we can begin to make headway.”

He highlighted two challenges faced in seamless reintegration of returned migrants into the society to include; the challenge of big numbers and that of lack of community support.

He noted that: “One of the consequences of this fragmentation is that some individuals have taken advantage of the system for personal gain, turning the status of being a returned migrant into a commodity. This undermines the credibility of our efforts and compromises the well-being of those we seek to support,” adding that: “Without effective coordination, we lose valuable opportunities to share intelligence, resources, and best practices, which could lead to more efficient and impactful interventions.

“We must ask ourselves: how can we promote true cooperation within the migration space? How can we create a shared platform that goes beyond meetings, trainings, and workshops to define and implement industry standards? How can we ensure that we are working in a way that maximizes our collective resources and expertise, rather than competing with each other? It is clear that our approach needs to evolve. We must prioritise collaboration over competition, sharing resources and intelligence to create a more effective and efficient system of support for returned migrants.”

On his part, the Honourable Federal Commissioner – National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs (NCFRMI), Hon. Tijjani Ahmed said the project, a timely and strategic initiative aimed at ensuring the sustainable reintegration and economic empowerment of vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

He further said: “Today’s gathering portrays our commitment to improving the quality of life, reducing suffering, and fostering long-term stability for those most affected by displacement, irregular migration, and socio-economic challenges.”

The Commissioner who was repented by a Director in the Commision, Ambassador Kathrene Udida, said: “At the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), we recognize that sustainable reintegration is about restoring dignity, ensuring livelihoods, and creating an environment where returnees can thrive ni their communities. This requires collaboration, innovation, and a people-centered approach, and we commend ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and GIZ for their leadership and support in this transformative initiative.

“Therefore, Iurge al stakeholders, government agencies, civil society, private sector actors, and community representatives, to work ni synergy to ensure that this project delivers lasting impact. The success of reintegration programs depends on creating economic opportunities, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring that returnees and displaced persons are not left behind.”

ActionAid: Conceited Efforts of All Needed for Seamless Migration of Returned Migrants

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State

Published

on

RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State


…Making it the 20th State to Benefit from the Support

By: Our Reporter

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Program, launched in Abuja in March 2024 to provide monthly support to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, has reached Yobe State—making it the 20th state to benefit from the initiative.
Since its inception, the program has covered Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States before arriving in Yobe.
With generous support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another industrialist who prefers to remain anonymous, assorted food items were delivered, bringing relief to many households, particularly those with disabilities.


The First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that donors provide two truckloads of food items to each beneficiary state for onward distribution. Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, she highlighted Yobe as a major beneficiary of RHI programs and interventions.
These include:

  • The Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economists Empowerment Program, which supported 500 women with ₦50,000 each.
  • The RHI Women Agricultural Support Scheme, where 20 women received ₦500,000 each.
  • A ₦68.9 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Young Farmers Club.
  • Annual financial support to senior citizens, with 100 beneficiaries receiving ₦100,000 each in 2023 and 250 beneficiaries receiving ₦200,000 each.
  • A ₦50 million financial grant to 1,000 petty traders.
  • The Women in ICT Program, aimed at empowering women in the digital economy.
    According to Senator Tinubu, these interventions are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the state has aligned with RHI through various empowerment programs for women, children, and vulnerable groups. These include the distribution of household items, skill acquisition schemes, and post-insurgency recovery programs that have economically empowered many women.

  • The State Coordinator of RHI and Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Kollere Buni, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for extending such impactful support to Yobe State. She also looked forward to stronger collaborations to further project the ideals of RHI and improve the lives of the people.
    Also present at the event was Dr. Ubong Udoh, Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, one of the key donors to the program.
  • RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State
Continue Reading

News

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

Published

on

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

By: Zagazola Makama

Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.

Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.

“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.

He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.

The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.

“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.

Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.

The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

Continue Reading

News

Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

Published

on

Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

By: Zagazola Makama

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.

Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.

“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.

The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.

According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.

“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.

Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.

He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.

The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.

“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.

The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
End

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights