Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, launched the state’s policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on July 4, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center.
This milestone event marks Yobe State’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by IDPs displaced by insurgency and natural disasters.
‘With today’s launch event, Yobe State has become the first state in Nigeria to have a domesticated policy on IDPs as a strategic step towards a durable solution,’ said the DG of NEMA.
The policy, developed through consultations with various stakeholders, aims to provide a robust framework for addressing the immediate and long-term needs of IDPs.
Gov. Buni emphasised the administration’s commitment to ensuring access to basic necessities like food, water, healthcare, education, and sanitation for affected communities.
‘This policy represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address the complex and multifaceted challenges faced by internally displaced persons within our state,’ Gov. Buni explained.
He highlighted the extensive disruptions caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and natural disasters, which have left thousands of citizens homeless and in dire need of organised and strategic support.
The Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali, echoed these sentiments in his opening remarks, celebrating the resilience of the people despite the adversities they have faced.
‘This policy is not merely a document; it is a testament to His Excellency’s determination to foster an environment where every displaced person can rebuild their life with dignity and security,’ Wali said.
He called for strengthened partnerships and collaborative efforts to transform the challenges faced by IDPs into opportunities for growth and development.
Earlier, Mr. Suleiman Dauda, the State SOLID project coordinator, highlighted the strategic need for the policy, which he said demonstrates the government’s intentions and plan on IDPs aligned with global best practices and standards.
‘By today’s launching, Yobe State became a symbolic state in Nigeria with a combined IDP policy, State Action Plan on Solution to Internal displacement, State Policy Advisory Committee on Durable Solution and State Security Planning and Coordination Group (SPCG) in preparation for the full implementation of durable solution,’ Dauda said.
The governor concluded the event by reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing durable solutions for IDPs through coordinated efforts with all stakeholders.
‘We are determined to transform this policy into reality, fostering a Yobe State where peace, stability, and opportunity are the hallmarks of our collective progress,’ he declared.
