CROSS RIVER GOVERNOR RECEIVES UNHCR COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE AHEAD OF 2024 WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu has said that the State Government will make Cross River State the home for refugees. The Governor stated this recently when the United Nations High-Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Country Representative Arjun Jain paid him a courtesy visit, as part of activities to mark the 2024 world Refugee Day.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, emphasized that the UNHCR is a valued ally of Cross River State and assured that the State will maintain the partnership for as long as necessary. The Governor also noted that some refugees have integrated so well that they can now speak the local languages. And He commended the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Rev. James Anam, for swiftly grasping his responsibilities and actively promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.
The Country Representative expressed profound gratitude to the Cross River State Government for its hosting of 60% of all Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria. He commended the State for including refugees in its social safety net program which enables them to benefit from various State program designed for vulnerable populations. The Country representative highlighted the State's progressive policies that allow refugees to work and move freely within Cross River, fostering a sense of independence and dignity among the refugee community. He expressed the UNHCR’s gratitude for these positive policies, while pledging that the UNHCR will continue to work towards the peaceful coexistence of refugees and host communities.
The visit, which is part of the UNHCR’s efforts to sensitize the public and raise awareness about the significance of World Refugee Day, underscores the critical role that local governments play in the global refugee response and also reaffirms the UNHCR’s commitment to supporting both refugees and host communities.
Ukongi Kwen Adie
