UNHCR calls for more commitment, political will to combat statelessness
Commitment
By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja, May 22, 2019 (NAN) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for more commitment of stakeholders and political will of government to combat statelessness.
Mr Roger Hollo, Deputy Representative, UNHCR Nigeria, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day workshop on “Statelessness and Nationality” for stakeholders and focal persons of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The workshop was organizsed by UNHCR in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
Hollo said the workshop aims at bringing relevant stakeholders together to raise more awareness on the issue of statelessness and the role they should play in combating it.
Hollo, who commended Nigeria in the fight against statelessness, said Nigeria was part of the countries that had taken the lead in the West African sub-region.
“At the end of the workshop, participants would realise that it does not take much to fight statelessness but the commitment of stakeholders and the political will of the government.
“A lot of people were still unaware of statelessness as a phenomenon and its consequences with a lot of people still asking so many questions with little answers,“ he said.
He said that in the course of the workshop, participants would be equipped with the knowledge to define who a stateless person is, what they face and what needs to be done to address the situation.
Hollo said that that the UNHCR was counting on participants who are focal points to utilise the knowledge gained from the workshop into action in their respective sectors to combat statelessness.
Also speaking, Dr Stephen Okon, Director Citizenship and Business, Federal Ministry of Interior, said that it was the responsibility of stakeholders to contribute to the fight against statelessness in their respective MDAs.
Okon said that being a new concept to many, the importance of understanding statelessness cannot be overemphasized.
He said that there was a need for stakeholders to create more awareness on the issues and their roles in addressing the scourge.
Okon said that to effectively the fight against statelessness, stakeholders must demonstrate passion, interest and take it not just as a role but a responsibility.
“Though, we have a national focal point, all of us are focal persons in our respective MDAs.
“To be selected as a focal person, you have been identified as one who plays a key role in the fight against statelessness in the country.
“The Workshop will help broaden your knowledge on the situation and how best you can contribute to the global eradication campaign and fight against statelessness.
“Stock taken shows that a lot of persons unaware of the situation are at risk of statelessness without them knowing, so the need for increased campaigns,” Okon said.
Okon said that just like counterpart countries in the sub-region, it would be important to form a national network that would help drive and effectively propagate the concept of statelessness.
Participants at the workshop said they expect to gain more knowledge on statelessness and the role they can play to join UNHCR in the fight against statelessness.
Speaking with NAN, Mr Dapo Akingbade, Assistant Ship Planning Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that at the end of the workshop important issues of statelessness would be tackled.
“My expectation from this workshop is to know in-depth what is leading to statelessness, though I have had an online course on statelessness, I know a little about it.
“This workshop will expose me more to the root causes and how to address those causes to be able to prevent statelessness.
“More so, even people that are stateless, what are their rights and privileges to enjoy life and to exhibit their human rights wherever they are,“ he said. (NAN)
LIZ/JPE/AFA
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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide