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As the global community marks the 2025 World Refugee Day, communities across the globe have been urged to accept and assist refugees wherever they settle.
The Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ibrahim Jawondo, made this call in his address at the programme organized by the centre in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Red Cross Society, and the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency to mark the day.
Prof. Jawondo noted that throughout human history, people have been forced to flee their homes in search of refuge in strange lands but are often not accepted.
“For refugees, IDPs, and those facing displacement, fleeing their home countries often means entering environments that may feel hostile or strange, where they face language barriers, cultural differences, and sometimes discrimination.”
The Focal Person of the Platform for Resilience at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin, Dr. Ruth Adimula, posited that refugees are generally vulnerable in several areas.
“They suffer significantly higher rates of mortality, are at high risk of physical attack, sexual assault, and abduction, and are frequently deprived of adequate shelter.
Overwhelming majority of refugees are women and children who are especially at risk of abuse of their basic rights.”
She emphasized that the worldwide refugee issue cannot be handled by governments alone, as it demands the fortitude, compassion, and collaboration of individuals at every level.
In a remark, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, stated that refugee issues have become one of the most pressing humanitarian concerns, given the record of the growing number of displaced persons worldwide.
“Nigeria alone accounts for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons, particularly in the Northeast and North Central regions, as well as refugees from other countries,” he explained.
The Vice Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Mukhtar Etudaiye, observed that ongoing conflicts, such as the war between Israel and Iran, may lead to an even greater number of refugees globally, in addition to those displaced by natural disasters and environmental disruptions.
“Globally, more than 110 million people have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, natural disasters, and environmental disruptions,” he noted.
However, he said the University of Ilorin has created favourable conditions for refugees through arrangements such as admission waivers.
The Kwara State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Dare Abdulganiyu, called on citizens to join hands with the government to support refugees and displaced persons in their communities.
“As we reflect on today’s dialogue, I urge all of us to not only listen but to act. We must work together to strengthen the capacity of our communities and ensure that displaced persons are not seen as burdens but as people deserving of our collective support,” he urged.
The Nigeria Red Cross Society, Kwara Sector, through its representative, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, said the organization ensures relief for refugees and reunites displaced persons with their families.
“Our work includes restoring family links, helping parents find lost children, reuniting loved ones across borders and crisis zones, emergency relief, delivering food, water, shelter materials, and dignity kits to refugees and IDPs, and healthcare, including running mobile clinics, distributing essential medicines, and providing first aid and psychosocial support in conflict and camp settings.”
The Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs, Mallam Bashir Amuda Yusuf, acknowledged the influx of refugees from neighboring countries due to crises in their regions and appealed to religious and community leaders to spread the message of help.
The event featured paper presentations and goodwill messages from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, Immigration Service, Civil Defense, and other paramilitary forces and NGOs. The theme of the 2025 World Refugee Day was “Community as Superpower”.
By Sola Rotimi
