The African Union Commission has commended the Federal Government for proper management of the more than two million Internally Displaced Persons in the North East.
Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union Commission, made the commendation during an inspection visit to Malkohi IDPs camp in Yola on Saturday.
Abdullahi, who led the officials of the commission to the camp, said that they were impressed with the way and manner Nigerian government was actively intervening in all aspect of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs.
“I have travelled to many parts of the continent but this is the only place (Nigeria) I find government at federal and state levels are actively intervening in all aspect of assisting and helping the IDPs.
“This is very unique for the Nigerian government.
“In some parts of the continent international donors and partners are the bodies responsible and taking care of the IDPs,” Abdullahi said.
She said that the AU was concerned about the situation of the populace living in the North East and the entire Lake Chad Basin.
According to the commissioner, managing over two million IDPs at a particular time is not easy and promised that the AU would look into some areas for intervention.
The Commissioner said her visit was at the instance of the AU Peace and Security Council .
“I visited many camps and I have seen a lot of massive displacement of people especially women and children.
“I listed areas of needs that I have gathered from the IDPs and the affected state governments which I will submit to the Peace and Security Council for appropriate consideration.” she said
Abdullahi said that some of the areas she listed for urgent intervention included the girl child education as well as women and youth empowerment.
Speaking, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr. Martins Babale, thanked the delegation for the visit.
He appealed to the AU to assist the state government in its preparation to host about 80,000 Nigerians, who are taking shelter in Cameroon.
“Arrangement has reached a certain level to receive our brothers and sisters from Cameroon who were forcefully displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents.
“We appeal to the AU to look into the areas of assistance to enable us overcome the situation,” Babale said.
In his welcome address, Mr. Sa’ad Bello, the National Emergency Management Agency Coordinator in Adamawa, said that the agency was working round the clock to manage the IDPs.
Bello said that the number of designated camps had reduced to four with not less than 7,000 IDPs.
He said the agency was now focusing on the rehabilitation of returnee IDPs.