The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has called for collective action to address challenges facing larger population of migrants.
Zamfara Coordinator of the Commission, Mr Salisu Zakari, reiterated the call during a WALK to mark the 2025 International Migrants Day on Tuesday, in Gusau, Zamfara.
Zakari said the day was celebrated through a collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
He described the day as a vital global platform for promoting understanding, solidarity, and collective action on migration.
The coordinator said that the walk aimed at promoting awareness, unity, and shared responsibility on migration issues.
He added that it was designed to raise awareness, foster unity, and collective action among institutions, development partners, and Civil Society Organisations to promote safe, orderly and durable solutions for IDPs.
“Migrants are people who move from one place to another in search of better opportunities, whether Nigerians moving abroad or foreigners coming into the country.
“On this day, we also commiserate with IDPs who are displaced due to circumstances beyond their control,” he said.
According to him, the global event is the first of its kind in the state, marking a significant step-down from the usual federal-level celebration.
He acknowledged that the devastating security challenges had continued to displace vulnerable persons in the state.
“We continue to record cases of displacement in Zamfara.
“Our goal is to end this situation and work towards lasting solution that will reduce displacements.
“We prioritise quick emergency responses and durable solutions that allow displaced persons to return to their communities or resettle safely,” he noted.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Alhaji Salisu Musa, reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting migrants and vulnerable populations.
Musa, represented by the Director Administration in the Ministry, Hajiya UmmulKhairi Usman commended the organisers for staging the walk.
“The International Migration Day reminds us that migration, when safe, orderly, and regular, is a powerful driver of development,” he said
The commissioner assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies, international organisations, and community-based actors to promote safe migration practices.
“Government upholds humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, and protection for all,” he assured.
Also, the Emir of Gusau, Dr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, described the IDPs situation as unfortunate, while stressing the Emirate’s long history of hospitality and the state heritage.
“It is not a thing of joy that people are displaced. What we desire is peace so that everyone can return home.
“Our tradition is to welcome visitors with dignity, and we pray that migration will be for development, not displacement,” he prayed.
The emir offered prayers for peace, stability, and success of the walk.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the walk which commenced from the Emir’s palace in Gusau terminated at the Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), office in Gusau.
NAN recalls that the Head of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Mrs Dimanche Sharon during a recent visit to Zamfara announced a response targeting over 95,000 people, in Katsina and Zamfara States.
Sharon said, the response would be implemented in eight local government areas in Katsina State, and two in Zamfara with the intention to expand to a third LGA, “which is Tsafe.”
She said part of the Northern region had experienced instability, with more than 650,000 people displaced and over 142,000 returnees recorded.
Sharon said: “Zamfara alone is currently hosting over 200,000 displaced persons and close to 10,000 returnees.
“Too many families had been uprooted, too many farms abandoned, and too many lives disrupted.
“Yet, in the midst of these difficulties, the people of Zamfara have demonstrated remarkable resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to rebuild and return to their homes,” she revealed.
