Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja

The International Committee of Red Cross ICRC has said that 2.2million displaced persons are domiciled in Nigeria’s North-east and sought the collaboration of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in resolving 24,000 requests of missing persons made by Nigerian families.

The Vice President of the ICRC Gilles Carbonnier made this known when he paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development yesterday in Abuja.

Mr Carbonnier who stated that a total of 2.2m displaced persons were domiciled in the North-east also offered the services of its Central Tracing Agency in finding missing persons during disasters as well as the forensic management of the dead during emergencies.

The ICRC in a statement declared that it has so far received 24,000 requests from Nigerian families who came to us to ask for news of their daughters or sons who are unaccounted for. We seek to work with different entities to progress in the resolution of these missing cases. In Africa, this accounts for half of the caseload of missing persons on the continent.

The vice president said, “We also have strong expertise in forensic science on how to deal with what we call dead body management in cases of emergencies, to help in the dignified management of the dead and also ensure that people don’t go missing during emergencies  and disasters. “We celebrated the 100th anniversary of our Central Tracing Agency that deals with identifying missing persons and reconnecting them with their families. In that framework, I think that it will be good for Nigeria to have an inter-ministerial mechanism where these cases of missing persons can first be registered in a central database.

He sought for the domestication or implementation of  traditions  of the Kampala convention and see how we can assist in finding feasible solutions that are consistent with the principles of the Kampala Conventions”.

In her response, the Minister appreciated the International  Committee of Red Cross  for its numerous humanitarian works in Nigeria especially in the North East and their provision of support and succor for the displaced persons affected by disaster.

Farouq said, “The main focus apart from the humanitarian intervention is to provide durable solutions to these vulnerable groups which  the Federal government has approved the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons which also includes working towards the domestication of the Kampala Convention. We are working with the National Assembly and relevant authorities.

She said, “The ministry is keen on working with the ICRC on missing persons to learn from your expertise on addressing these issues. There are a lot of issues of unaccompanied minors in the IDP camps who have lost their parents and we don’t even know their identities. This is something the government is working on to see how these unaccompanied minors can be identified. We can collaborate with your  Agency to trace their identities and find lasting solutions to missing persons in emergency situations.

“The  forensic science of managing mass fatalities during disasters is very important as well and I am sure that the National Emergency Management Agency will key into this forensic support. These are areas that the ministry is very much interested in”.

The IRCS delegation also included Bruno Raymond, Protection Coordinator ICRC Geneva, Mona Sadek, Deputy Regional Director for Africa and Head of delegation ICRC Abuja Yann Benton.

He said that the committee is mandated to rapidly unveil to the world , Kogi as a tourism hub.

According to Runsewe, the 8 points Agenda includes Visits to all Historical and Heritage Sites in Kogi State, Hosting the very important National Stakeholders’ Meeting in Kogi State, Trips to Farm and National Sites, Interface with Brand names in the country, Setting up of Media Players, Building a Brand identity for the Holiday Village, Develop feedback mechanism with the Kogi State Government House and host physical meeting when necessary.

Runsewe thanked  Governor Yahaya Bello for his vision in setting up the Advisory Intervention Committee on Culture and Tourism which among other things is poised to fast track all the numerous Tourism potentialities of Kogi State, noting that Kogi State boasts of so many historic, cultural and tourism potentials.

Runsewe added that if Governor Yahaya Bello  is able to host this much talked about National Industry-Stakeholders’ Meeting this year in Kogi State, Kogi State will be the first state in the history of Nigeria to host the national encompassing-stakeholders meeting.

Runsewe commended the Governor Bello for taking a bold step to develop the first ever holiday village in Kogi State noting every journey of a thousand miles starts with a step and that the governor has taken the bold step which will definitely translate to something big for the youths of today and our future generation to hold on to.

Runsewe concluded that his committee will send a formal and properly documented Strategic Report to the Governor to enable the committee practical approach all the issues.

The defendants pleaded ‘guilty’ when the charges were read to them. The prosecution counsel, M. Yusuf reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the Court to convict the defendants.

In a separate judgment, Justice Dogo convicted and sentenced Owoicho to one (1) year imprisonment with an option of fine of N3.5 Million.  His Lexus ES 350 car, Samsung Galaxy A51 and Techno T662 mobile phones and monies in the two bank accounts used in committing the crime were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

Adakole was sentenced to one (1) year imprisonment with an option of fine of N1.5 Million. He was also ordered to forfeit a Toyota Camry car 2009 model and monies in four bank accounts used in commuting the crime, to the Federal Government.

Musa bagged Six month (6) imprisonment with an option of fine of N250, 000

The minister, however, used the occasion to harp on the ongoing FCT primary school teachers strike over the nonpayment of promotion arrears since 2013, stressing that the arrears predate the present administration. 

She, however, assured members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) that a workable template has been put in place to offset the debts for over a period of time, adding that a 7-Man committee would be set up to look at the operation of the template. 

According to her, “our primary school teachers are at home over the nonpayment of their arrears that predates this administration. However, the quality of a good leader is to take responsibility, and we must work out ways to resolve this protracted issue. Workable template to offset the debts over a period of time has been put in place, and a seven man committee to look into the operation of the template will be set up”. 

While calling for more commitment and synergy on the part of all stakeholders, the minister however commended them for showing understanding in the distribution of monthly allocation to area councils and other stakeholders. 

Those present at the 161st Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting include the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Stephen KnabayI, amongst others.