“Contributing your share to help humanity”

Member nations celebrated the UN’s 71st with focus on the SDGs. Kelechukwu Iruoma, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria writes that Nigeria, where Boko Haram sects have killed and displaced thousands, used the anniversary to focus on Internally Displaced Persons and solutions to their challenges.

The event that marked the 2016 United Nations Day was aimed at looking critically into the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and the way forward to solving the challenges that confront them.

Nigerian youths were urged to ensure that they contribute their quota to helping the IDPs and humanity in general, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Olusegun Akinsanya, gave encouragement at the event organized by United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN) in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) to mark the UN Day at UNIC Ikoyi, Lagos.

The ambassador revealed that only the youths might be alive to see 2030, which is the time frame set to meet the SDGs, adding that there is need for individual youths and youth led-organizations to work with local, national and international bodies, in order to solve the world’s biggest challenges.

“The youths should contribute their quota to helping the IDPs in the North Eastern part of the country by volunteering to work in the various IDPs camps. They should render humanitarian services. We also (governments and organizations) need to start building the youths, to mainstream them in the areas of peace and security, governance and human rights, and they will be able to move the world,” the former Ambassador said.

Senator Aminu Enitan, a member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, spoke on the plight of the IDPs in North East and revealed that the IDPs were going through some challenges as a result of lacking basic necessities.

He also said that the government of Nigeria would have to build a good reputation and integrity if she would be able to get funds from international organisations.

“The Federal government has not got any international funding for the IDPs. Nigeria needs to look at her integrity in order to help the IDPs,” the Senator said.

Corruption should not be encouraged, as it is one reason that international organisations find it difficult to donate funds.

“We need large scale aid for development. We need trained volunteers. They could not communicate. They have not seen what we call development. They need recreational facilities. We need to cater for them,” he said.

There was a call for focus by the government, and for a reduced bureaucracy. Private sectors should invest in the IDPs by creating small scale enterprises for them.

Also, a researcher at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Dr. Joshua Olusegun Bolarinwa , spoke on the role of the UN in IDPs and reminded participants that the presence of the UN all over the world signified peace.

“What UN has done is unquantifiable. There is no replacement of the UN. They have done well. We can see their presence everywhere; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO) and so many sub-organizations. Their presence is all over the world and they are helping humanitarianism,” he stated.

He further noted that the IDPs need shelter, food, cloth, help and assistance.

“The Nigerian government has been doing so well in supporting to rehabilitate, protect and assist the internally displaced persons particularly those who have been displaced in the North Eastern part of Nigeria as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Part of the efforts that the government is doing is establishment of a North East commission to rehabilitate and protect, train and make them have a good future despite the problems they face,” the researcher said.

He urged the Nigerian government to improve efforts in catering for the IDPs, urging humanitarian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) philanthropists and other organizations to contribute by donating funds and materials in order to help the IDPs.

Reach me on Twitter @Kelechukwu 23

Photo credit: UN Women Gallery In DRC, women refugees rebuild lives, with determination and hope via photopin (license)

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About me: I am a humanitarian and development journalist who ensures that the voice of the voiceless are always heard. I am passionate about the sustainable development goals and I want to see a world where the youths are given adequate education and employment.

I want to see a world where poverty is wiped away. I want to see a world where people are provided with clean water and good environmental sanitation. I want to see a world where peace reigns.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
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