FRESH!!! WHAT DO LIONS, NIGERIA'S REFUGEE COMMISSION AND NIKKI LAOYE HAVE IN COMMON?

Nikki Laoye flanked by Members of the LIONs Clubs and some of the refugees resident in Lagos State

On the 10^th of April 2014, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Southwest Zone, in conjunction with Five (5) Lions Clubs, met with the Community of Refugees in Lagos State at a Town Hall meeting organized by the Commission in Lagos to interact with the refugees and determine their needs and challenges in integrating into the Nigerian society as well as present the donations of materials, food stuffs, multivitamins and clothing materials to them. It was also an opportunity for the Southwest Zone of the NCFRMI to unveil to the refugees one of their ‘Celebrity Voices’, singer and humanitarian Nikki Laoye to bring to the forefront the activities of the NCFRMI as
well as the plight of the refugees and other persons of concern to the NCFRMI (Forced Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons).

Nikki Laoye addresses the refugees present on behalf of NCFRMI

                The President of the Ikate-Elegushi LIONs club, Lion Olori Aderonke Elegushi who spoke on behalf of the LIONs clubs (Simon, Ruby, Park View and New Festac Lions Clubs) addressed the refugees assembled, encouraging them that they were not at a disadvantage, emphasizing that the NCFRMI has ensured that every registered refugee has a right to take up employment and become whatever they want to become in society regardless of their background. She also encouraged them to be law-abiding in all they do and Nigeria will take care of them, she also earned a resounding applause when she addressed them in fluent French language. The Voice of the Commission in the Southwest, Nikki Laoye addressed the refugees, admonishing them with words of encouragement and prayers, emphasizing that she would do her best to speak on their behalf whenever she gets the opportunity.

Distribution of food stuffs to the refugees

                Some of the refugees who spoke at the occasion indicated that they have major struggles in the area of accommodation and would also require some grants from the Commission and the LIONs club to start off businesses and send their children to school, as many of their children have had to drop out of school due to the non-payment of their school fees.

Cross-section of refugees and NCFRM staff/LIONS Club members

The high point of the event was the distribution of the materials provided by the LIONs Clubs and Nikki Laoye, which were received with much enthusiasm and excitement. In their response, the refugees expressed appreciation at the innovation by the NCFRMI and Lions Clubs and requested that such an event should not be a one-time affair, but should be continual, in order to enable the refugees properly integrate into the society and interact freely with their Nigerian counterparts. The refugees in attendance were from Mali, Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

It would be recalled that in 2013, Nikki was given an honorary award for her humanitarian works by 234Giver, she sure does have a heart of Gold! Kudos to her and the LIONS club for a job well done!!!