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Insurgency: 4,982 Nigerian Refugees In Cameroon Set To Return, FG Confirms

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A total of 4,982 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon are set to return as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has begun moves to that effect.
Out of the number, a total of 3,224 refugees are returning to Banki town and the other 1,758 to Bama town, both in Borno State, respectively.
The Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Senator Basheer Garba Mohammed, at the weekend, met with the officials of the Cameroonian government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Maroua, Cameroon, to discuss and arrive at modalities for the repatriation.
The development came on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent directive that all Nigerian refugees in Cameroon be returned back home safely to a life of dignity and pride with immediate effect.
The weekend’s meeting, which was a follow-up to the previous one in 2017, initiated by the then commissioner and current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, also led to the successful return of 134 Nigerians from Cameroon.
The minister, speaking on the development, stressed that necessary arrangements have been made for the refugees’ socioeconomic reinsertion into Nigeria.
Speaking at the meeting, the commissioner, who was represented by the commission’s Director of Refugee and Migration, Tai Hassan Ejibunu, stressed the importance of the meeting of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) of both countries.
According to him, the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon and the support of the humanitarian ministry cannot be overemphasized.
The commission’s federal commissioner, who is also the chairman, Technical Working Group (TWG) of Nigeria on the Voluntary Repatriation of Nigerian Refugees, said the TWGs’ meeting was a forerunner to the Tripartite Commission (TC) meeting scheduled to hold this week.
“The meeting this week would provide the latitude and platform for officials of both counties to have in-depth discussions on the protocols and strategies to follow in repatriating the several thousands of Nigerian Refugees that are stationed in Minawao Camp in the Republic of Cameroon”, he explained.
“Therefore, I would urge officials of both countries to be open in their discussions, while putting into consideration, the interest of the refugees, following international best practices and the guidance of our technical partner, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Offices, both in Nigeria and Cameroon”, Lado further stressed.
“At this juncture, let me take this opportunity, to thank the UNHCR Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, and her dedicated staff for their invaluable contribution, assistance and collaboration in all spheres, to ensure that discussions were held always, on how best to tackle the repatriation of these Persons of Concerns (PoCs) to Nigeria”, he added.
“The Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, is a governor that has demonstrated uncommon passion in ensuring that the citizens of his state in Cameroon are repatriated home in safety and given a new lease of life.
“Zulum’s reintegration plans for the PoCs, if well executed, and with support of the relevant stakeholders and partners will assuage the losses and fears being entertained by the refugees upon their return home back in Borno State”.
He thanked the government and people of Cameroon, who have shown love and hospitality to the Nigerian refugees.
“The government and the country have exemplified the true African spirit, character and culture of good neighbourliness, and being fellow African brother’s keeper. The country’s acceptance to host the Joint TWG is a further attestation of the spirit of Umbuntu.
“’You Live, So I Live’ which is engrained in the psyche and the blood streams of Africans”, he concluded.
The return of the refugees will also be in line with the Commission’s ongoing resettlement cities project, which will shelter thousands of displaced persons in a two-bedroom housing units across some states, consisting of primary health care and education centres, security outposts, worship houses, skill acquisition centres, markets and adjoining farmlands for use by the occupants.
The commission’s Project Reliance is another programme aimed at providing a stable means of livelihood for the returnee refugees, empowering them by way of giving them start-up capitals and empowerment tools in more than 50 different vocations and businesses of their choices.
Other stakeholders in the humanitarian space on the exercise are; the representatives of the governors of Borno and Adamawa states, representatives of the ministers of humanitarian affairs, foreign affairs, health, finance, interior and budget and national planning.
Others are; the representatives of the NSA NIA, DSS, Police IG, Chief of Defence Staff, Civil Defence, Immigration, NAPTIP, NEDC and NEMA

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Rivers @ 58: Stakeholders Task Govt On Infrastructure, Human Dev

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As Rivers State celebrates the 58th anniversary of its creation today, some stakeholders have called on the State Government to do more towards improving the quality of infrastructure and human capital development in the State..

A cross section of stakeholders who spoke in an interview with The Tide also commended successive administrations in the state for their efforts towards expanding infrastructure network across the state.

They noted that more communities, both at the upland and riverine parts of the State, now have access to road network than when the stayte was created 58 years ago.

They, however, urged the government to return the state to the era of overseas scholarship when brilliant students are given opportunities to further their studies.

Speaking with The Tide, former youth leader of Chokota community in Etche Local Government Area, Mr. Ebere Nwankwo, said Rivers State has made progress in various fronts, despite the ongoing political crisis in the State.

Nwankwo noted that the State now has more tertiary institutions, both private and public, while the number of secondary schools have tripled.

He added that the State has also recorded tremendous progress in the area of healthcare.

According to him, healthcare has been brought closer to the doorstep of the common man, as there is hardly any local government in the state that doesn’t have a government health centre today.

The youth leader further said that many Rivers indigenes, home and abroad, have brought glory to the State in their various capacities, and urged the government to provide the enabling environment for the youths to excel.

Also speaking, the spokesperson for the International Peace Advocates, Mr. Emmanuel Nkweke, said the position of Rivers State among the comity of states in the country cannot be taken for granted.

He attributed this success to the efforts of successive administrations in repositioning the state for development.

Nkweke, however, called for a speedy resolution of the political impasse in the State to enable the State move to the next level of development.

Also speaking, a civil servant, Mrs. Ngozi Sunday, noted the efforts of government to improve the quality of lives of Rivers people, but called for a return to democratic governance in the State.

Another civil servant, Mrs. Munuonye Tina Ogechi, said Rivers State within the past 58 years has recorded significant achievements in road infrastructure, youth empowerment and repositioning of the state civil service for greater productivity.

She commended the suspended Governor of the State, Sir Similanayi Fubara, for taking the issue of women empowerment and peace seriously.

Meanwhile, a teacher, Mr. Orie Fiberesima, decried the high cost of living and lack of jobs in the State, and the need for a more effective government.

He also stressed the need for the government to look into the issue of high rent in Port Harcourt, noting that houses are now beyond the reach of the average Rivers man.

Mr. Innocent Chimobi, in his own view, urged the government to attract more industries and foreign investments to the State as a way of providing employment opportunities for the jobless youths in the State.

He also called the attention of the government to the terrible state of roads in some rural communities, advising the government to work hand in hand with the communities to foster better development.

By: John Bibor/Claire Julius

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Minister Sets Up Team To Manage Emefiele-Linked Estate

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The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, yesterday, unveiled a 12-member ministerial committee to oversee the 753-unit recovered housing estate linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The estate was recently handed over to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement released yesterday, Dangiwa emphasised the critical nature of the assignment, describing it as a key step towards realising the housing component of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement read, “Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated a twelve-member ministerial committee on the 753-unit recovered housing estate located in the Lokogoma district, Abuja, FCT.”

He reiterated that the committee’s mandate aligns with the President’s vision and the Ministry’s reform objectives to transform the estate into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.

“The committee was constituted based on the vision of Mr President and the Ministry’s housing reform drive to ensure that the recovered property is swiftly transformed into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for the benefit of Nigerians,” he said.

Dangiwa underscored the importance of technical expertise and institutional integrity in executing the assignment, noting that committee members were selected from key departments within the Ministry.

“Your selection is a testament to the confidence the Ministry has in your ability to drive this initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands.

“Nigerians are watching and expect results. They want to see homes completed and allocated transparently. They want to see the government working for them,” Dangiwa emphasised, urging committee members to collaborate effectively and remove unnecessary bottlenecks.

He charged them to adopt a fresh mindset, stating, “Think outside the box. Be results-oriented.”

The committee is chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, and includes senior directors and aides from the technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media departments.

The committee’s Terms of Reference include conducting a thorough structural and integrity assessment of the buildings, determining the number and condition of housing units, and valuing existing work through proper surveying and market evaluation.

Additionally, the committee will assess costs required to complete essential infrastructure such as roads, power, and water. It will also develop standards for architectural and finishing consistency, propose a fair and transparent strategy for disposal and allocation of units via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and devise a public engagement plan to build confidence.

The committee must ensure effective coordination with key stakeholders, including the EFCC, FCTA, and relevant utility providers. A preliminary report is expected within four weeks.

The Minister of State, Yusuf Ata, emphasised the need for the committee to co-opt additional professionals as required, given the scale of the task and tight deadline.

“The committee should have the authority to co-opt members to assist, considering the magnitude of the task and the four-week timeline,” he noted.

Belgore assured that the team would execute its duties diligently and professionally.

“The committee has been tasked with ensuring the recovered estate undergoes a comprehensive technical assessment, is strategically completed, and disposed of transparently and cost-effectively, in line with national housing delivery objectives,” he said.

He added that the success of the assignment would serve as a model for transforming recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure.

“The successful execution of this assignment will serve as a benchmark for converting recovered public assets into infrastructure that directly benefits the people,” he concluded.

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Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia Deports Gumi

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Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia after being denied entry into Medina, effectively barring him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, known for his controversial views on national and international issues, confirmed the development in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, yesterday.

“Due to some reasons related to my views on world politics, the authorities in Saudi Arabia do not want me to be present at Hajj even though they have granted me a visa,” Gumi wrote.

The cleric, who was part of a delegation of religious scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), arrived at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air.

However, upon arrival, Saudi immigration officials reportedly stopped him at the airport and denied him entry into the city, before placing him on a return flight to Nigeria.

Sheikh Gumi added in a statement on his page that the Nigerian authorities have shown concern and have promised to engage Saudi officials to seek clarification and resolution.

“I am grateful to the authorities in Nigeria who have pledged to engage with the Saudi authorities on this matter,” he said.

Although no official reason has been provided by Saudi Arabia for the deportation, observers believe the action may be connected to Sheikh Gumi’s outspoken political and religious views, which may be at variance with the kingdom’s policies.

Gumi has, in recent years, played a prominent role in dialogue initiatives with armed groups in Nigeria’s northern region and has often voiced criticism of Western and Middle Eastern political interventions.

The incident has sparked discussions among religious communities and the wider public, with many questioning the implications of political ideology on religious observance.

As of the time of filing this report, there is no official statement from the Saudi embassy or the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the development.

Sheikh Gumi has since resumed his public preaching and teaching engagements in the country.

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