By Sam Eyoboka

REFUGEES from some neighboring African countries recently, at a town hall meeting organised by the South West zone of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, appealed to the Federal Government to assist them by integrating them into the society.

The town hall meeting, co-sponsored by five Lions Club in Lagos, also served as an avenue to distribute relief materials including food stuff, multivitamins and clothing material to the refugees.

Mr. Kolinda Natir, a representative from the Congolese community said they were happy about the relief materials and called on the NCFRMI to hold regular meetings with the people to find out challenges facing them with a view to meeting their needs.

Natir suggested that the next town hall meeting should be held in a wider environment to enable the refugees integrate into the society and interact freely with Nigerians.

Ms Mawa Dabo, a Malian, was of the opinion that the people needed assistance to send their children to schools as some who even registered their wards had to withdraw them because of lack of funds.

Ms Fanta Rowmoi, an Ivorian, appealed to the Commission to provide better accommodation for the refugees, adding that a number of them are yet to get a place of abode.

Assisting the immigrants

Many others urged the NCFRMI to assist them with grants to start some small scale businesses to enable them cater for their families.

Eariler, Mrs. Hadiza Sani-Kangiwa, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NCFRMI, advised refugees in Nigeria to be law abiding.

Sani-Kangiwa who was represented by the South West zonal co-ordinator, Ms Ngozi Ukaegbu, said that the Commission was aware of the challenges facing the migrants and would endeavour to assist them.

Mrs. Aderonke Elegushi, president of the Ikate-Elegushi Lion’s Club who also addressed the refugees, said they were not at a disadvantage even though they were foreigners.

Elegushi advised the refugees to respect the nation’s laws, noting that every registered refugee has a right to be employed regardless of their background.

The refugees numbering about 100 are from Mali, Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.