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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Muhammad Nasir Karofi, and the North-West Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Armiyau Shuaibu, have called for collective efforts to ensure social, psychological and physical security for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
They made the appeal during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi to commemorate the 2026 World Refugee Day, themed “Until Everyone Is Safe.”
Speaking at the event, Shuaibu noted that no refugee or internally displaced person willingly leaves home, stressing that most displaced persons are eager to return once their communities become safe and habitable.
“As we gather today in Birnin Kebbi for the 2026 World Refugee Day commemoration, we join the global community under a theme that carries profound moral significance: Until Everyone Is Safe,” he said.
“For the NCFRMI, this is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle. We are operating in a period marked by complex migration realities. While Nigeria has recorded successes in targeted voluntary repatriation programmes for displaced persons along its borders, emerging challenges arising from climate change and regional instability continue to demand vigilance and coordinated action.”
He described Kebbi State as a strategic player in migration management due to its extensive international borders and unique geopolitical location.
According to him, the commission remains committed to providing care, maintenance and durable solutions for refugees, migrants and IDPs through relief support, shelter and livelihood programmes.
However, he stressed that such interventions can only succeed where host communities are willing to accept and integrate vulnerable populations.
“Physical security is incomplete without social security. Refugees and displaced persons must be able to access healthcare, education and economic opportunities without fear of discrimination, harassment or exclusion,” he stated.
Shuaibu explained that the theme Until Everyone Is Safe underscores the need for displaced persons to live with dignity and confidence in their host communities while rebuilding their lives.
He commended the support of the Kebbi State Government and particularly praised the wife of the governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, for her consistent interventions on behalf of vulnerable women and children.
Earlier, NOA State Coordinator Muhammad Nasir Karofi observed that millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide have been forced to abandon their homes and now depend on the goodwill and support of host communities.
He noted that hostility, stigma and discrimination only deepen the trauma already experienced by displaced populations.
“Safety is not a luxury reserved for a privileged few; it is a fundamental human right. In Kebbi State, known as the Land of Equity, fairness, protection and dignity must be extended to everyone within our borders, whether they are indigenes or those seeking refuge,” he said.
Karofi explained that the collaboration between NOA and NCFRMI reflects a shared understanding that humanitarian assistance alone cannot fully address the challenges of displacement.
“Food, shelter and medical assistance may sustain displaced persons in the short term, but social acceptance, community integration and empathy are essential for their long-term recovery and stability,” he said.
He added that NOA’s mandate is to promote national orientation, foster understanding and strengthen social cohesion within communities.
“When refugees or internally displaced persons arrive in a new community, they can either encounter suspicion, xenophobia and isolation, or they can find compassion, opportunities and support to rebuild their lives. The difference lies in the attitude of the host community.
“Our role is to help shape public perception and encourage citizens to view displaced persons not as a burden, but as fellow human beings deserving of dignity, protection and inclusion.”
Karofi further emphasized that no one chooses to become a refugee, noting that displacement is a tragedy that can affect anyone regardless of status, ethnicity or nationality.
