In a bid to combat the high rate of illegal immigration, refugees and other illegal movements within the State, the Kwara State Government has reinstated its readiness to collaborate with the National Commission For Refugee Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in order to strengthen environmental safety of residents in the State.

The Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Abosede Olaitan Buraimoh, stated this while hosting the representatives from the National Commission For Refugee Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in her office recently.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Peter Kayode Ayanwale, stressed on the exigency of the collaboration, lamenting that the influx of some assailants into the State in recent times has caused potential threats to the citizens, therefore calls for urgent action.

The Commissioner disclosed that the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration places the safety and well-being of the citizens at high enclave, adding that the State government has been spending hugely to cater for internally displaced persons, vulnerable groups and the less privileged so that they can enjoy shelter and equitable social status.

Hon. Buraimoh said that child trafficking, forced labour, bad parenting, illegal passage of travellers, among others, attributed to the alarming increase of internal displacement, have caused high risk of both internal and external threats in some States, warning the public to desist from these criminal and condemnable acts.

She however urged the citizens, especially, the teaming youths, who are seeking greener pasture overseas, to have a rethink and take a legal passage if need be, adding that the nation is still full of economic potentials and untapped natural wealths that can support healthier and habitable living.

Earlier, the National Chairman, National Commission For Refugee Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), North Central Zone, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, who was represented by the State Coordinator of the Commission, Mr. Bashir Yusuf, said the visit was to interface and seek synergy with the Ministry, as a strategic and important machinery of government whose statutory roles can help the Commission to achieve its mandates.

Mr. Ahmed noted that the Commission is intending to form a Committee of NCFRMI at the State level of which a representative from the Ministry is required for strategic and steadfast success of its course.

The National Chairman explained that the Commission is a Federal Agency established by Decree 52 of 1989, now Cap No 12, of 2004 Act (NCFRMI) Law of the Federation, incorporated with the 1951 United Nation Refugee Corporation and 1967 Protocols, to manage the affairs of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

Mr. Ahmed stressed that a person can become a refugee “owing to reasons for persecution, race, religion, nationality, social group and political opinion, while some are in form of illegal immigration and external aggression.”

He added that the Commission receives the victims of the said categories under its facilities, orientate and reintegrate them into the society, urging the State government, through the Ministry, to join hands in amplifying its campaign to the public.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, WetMade Foundation, Pastor Ade Bodunde, who was also part of the team, thanked the Ministry for the privilege granted them and expressed hope that the interface will engender an harmonious working relationship among all Federal and State Ministries concerned to wage into action in nipping in the bud, the issue of illegal immigration and other counterpart vices.

In her vote of thanks, the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply of the Ministry, Mrs. Florence Balogun, appreciated the Commission for its thoughtfulness in contacting the Ministry and applauded its mandate as impactful, while assuring it that the Ministry will send its feedback after necessary consideration.