By Elijah Ugani
The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, has taken advocacy to residents of Ogoja Urban as part of its plan of activities to mark the 2021 World Refugees Day WRD.
The advocacy walk which commenced at 8.00am from the State High Court Ogoja through Zenith bank roundabout, to Mission road, through market road to Ishibori and back to the State High Court on Saturday, 19th June, 2021 had in attendance all implementing partners, representatives of National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, representatives of State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Community Based Organizations, refugees and staff of UNHCR.
Mr. Sally Osajie who anchored the walk sensitized the public at strategic locations, and maintained that “it is not a crime to be a refugee. We are on the streets of Ogoja to celebrate the refugees, please do not discriminate them. When they come to the market, give them equal opportunity, they are part of us”
Speaking to The Lumine News, on the importance of the walk, the Head of Sub Office Ogoja, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele maintained that “We are to celebrate and commemorate with the refugees who are here seeking protection from the Nigerian government”.
Speaking on them of the 2021 world refugees day, ‘Together we can achieve anything’ Mr. Tesfaye maintained that “There is nothing one alon can do, it is to show togetherness of the Nigerian government, the host communities, International communities and UNHCR to stand in solidarity with the refugees, to appreciate them for the courage they have to survive the difficult situation”
On his part, the UNHCR Deputy Representative (Protection) Abuja, Mr. John Mekissick held that “We are here to celebrate the refugees. Nobody wants to be a refugee. Today and tomorrow, we celebrate their resilience, their ability to work together with the host communities, to learn, to hear and to shine. Together, we can achieve anything”
