WORLD REFUGEE DAY: NCFRMI, PROF. AZINGE (SAN), NIKKI LAOYE, SAMMIE OKPOSO AND OTHERS SPARE A MINUTE THOUGHT FOR THE DISPLACED AND OPPRESSED

                                                                                                          

Hajiya Hadiza Sani Kangiwa - Honourable Federal Commissioner (NCFRMI)

This year, as part of activities to mark the World Refugee Day, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Southwest Zonal Office organized a symposium, which held at the Exhibition Hall of the National Museum on Wednesday the 18^th of June 2014, with the theme: A Minute’s thought for the Displaced and Oppressed. The keynote lecture was given by Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN), the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). After the lecture, there was an interactive session, as participants asked questions and made suggestions on the challenges of internal displacement and national response.

In her goodwill address, the Honourable Federal Commissioner encouraged the refugees and applauded their journey, indicating that even though there was nothing to celebrate about being refugees, but their strength in the midst of the struggle needs to be applauded, even as she called on the members of the public to support the Commission in its drive to provide care to persons of concern.

A major highpoint of the event was a special musical performance by the Celebrity Voice of the Commission, Soul Singer Nikki Laoye, who also took out time to encourage the Refugees and internally displaced persons in attendance; stating that they should keep working hard and with the help of God and the Commission they would achieve their dreams, she then serenaded the audience with her hit single ‘Joy Comes’. She also addressed the audience, saying “let’s continue to speak positively about our great country Nigeria and things would definitely get better”.

In attendance at the Symposium were representatives from the United Nations, UNHCR, NEMA, NAPTIP, Nigeria Police Force, private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations, including the LIONS Club International, who have been a major supporter of the Commission and were fully represented by several members and the incoming District Governor Engr. Onalaja.

HFC Presents the Winners Trophy to Refugee Team Captain

On Saturday, June 21^st 2014, a Celebrity football match was held at the Onikan Stadium with a team of celebrities and NCFRMI staff taking on a team of Refugees from Mali, Cote D’ivoire, Central African Republic and Sudan. The celebrities in attendance were led by Nikki Laoye, Sammie Okposo and veteran dancer and choreographer Muyiwa Osinaike. The match was also attended by the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the NCFRMI, Hajiya Hadiza Sani Kangiwa and the Country Representative for the UNHCR Madam Angele Dikongue-Atangana , who performed the ceremonial kick-off of the match.

The match was keenly contested as the Refugee Team played with much gusto and skill, scores ended at 7 – 5, in favour of the Refugee Team, with Nikki Laoye and Sammie Okposo recording their names on the score sheet with two (2) well taken goals, and Muyiwa Osinaike did an amazing job in goal as an excellent goalkeeper. In her remarks, the Honorable Federal Commissioner, extolled the skills of the players in the Refugee Team, noting that some of them were good enough to play for professional football teams, she furthermore indicated that the Commission would look into the possibility of inviting talent scouts to evaluate some of the players.

The HFC presents the runners-up trophy to the Celebrity/NCFRMI Team (Nikki Laoye, Muyiwa Osinaike and Sammie Okposo - in front)

Nikki Laoye in her remarks, expressed her excitement at the opportunity given to her to serve as the Voice of the Commission and also thanked her colleagues who honoured the invitation to take part in the Novelty Match, to the Refugees she said “stand strong and stay focused on building a new life for yourselves. Keep praying and trusting God, He will provide all you need”. Music veteran Sammie Okposo, also articulated his appreciation at being able to give back to the society, noting that he had no idea that Nigeria had a proper agency which cared for Refugees and Internally displaced persons; and as a goodwill message, he encouraged the refugees and IDPs stating that “it is not a good thing to be displaced, but for whatever reason you are displaced, there is an umbrella here, so if you run in here (NCFRMI), you are well covered as far as Nigeria is concerned”. Nollywood actress, Judith Audu, who was also in attendance, commended the initiative, stating that “it is always good to do things like this for the refugees, as it gives them a sense of belonging and lets them know that they have a family here in Nigeria, I particularly enjoyed watching Sammie Okposo and Nikki Laoye score goals each”.

The World Refugee Day is Celebrated on the 20^th of June every year.

Sammie Okposo (L), Honourable Federal Commissioner (C), Nikki Laoye (R)