If there is going to be an objective and unsentimental evaluation of Commissions and parastatals of government in 2022 with regards to performance, dedication to duties and providing succour to the Nigerian people, but in this case, to Persons of Concerns PoCs, then the award should go to the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hon Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
Contrary to what is obtainable in public service and a showy display of programmes where Heads of agencies want to be heard and seen, Hon Imaan has carried out her own programmes and implementations of her policy frameworks without noise and the usual media frenzies.
The NCFRMI and the entire Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management is fortunate to have skilled and professional team, working night and day to provide thoughtful policy guidance, and to design and implement extensive new programmes on an urgent basis; all the while adjusting to radically alter and improve on changing circumstances occasioned by natural disasters, insecurities and maintaining the regular services upon which IDPs, refugees and migrants can rely on.
The work that Honourable Minister, Sadiyat Umar Farouk and Hon Imaan do behind the scenes may not always be understood by those who do not walk in their shoes, but they can take great pride in knowing that they have provided the steadying rudder by which emergency services and durable solutions can be provided and navigated despite the unparalleled social and economic challenges the country confronts.
Fortunately, some eagle eyed media houses have monitored her activities and success ratios which during the year under review earned her awards from the famous Businessday Newspapers, Blueprints Newspapers and constant reviews of her performances by the LEADERSHIP newspapers.
The scope of the commission’s engagements in different states of the federation ranging from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Katsina State, Borno State, Kebbi State, Adamawa, Edo State, Lagos State, Cross River State, Yobe, Zamfara State among others is a pointer to the team spirit that the Honourable Federal Commissioner has created and sustained at the Commission.
No one seems to be left aside, no staff can singlehandedly claim to be central to all of these engagements but everybody have been carried along. Unlike some agencies where a few hold sway, Hon Imaan gives opportunities to everyone to prove themselves and she commends you when you perform creditably well.
Her achievements are no flukes. They are products of systematic thinking, willpower and a sheer determination to create impact and leave her footprints in the sands of time.
At all opportunities, this indefatigable woman would always ascribe her efforts to the backing of her Honourable Minister, Hajiya Sadiat Umar Farouk and the enabling environment created by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ultimate winners however are the displaced Persons, Migrants and refugees whose lives have been touched by the diligence and zest for hard work by Hon Imman and her team.
She has indeed spearheaded policies that have strengthened national response in areas of her mandate.
One of these programmes is the Project Educate All’ which has been conceived in line with the Commission’s work plan to address the growing challenge and learning needs of displaced persons as well as to ensure accelerated learning in emergency setting in line with global practices. The launch of the project complements the transitional learning centres that would further enhance the reading and fast-track learning for pupils in camps and host communities.
Yet another is the Project Skill Up, which ensures a whole of society’s effort to the provision of durable solutions for all persons of concern. It allows a concerted, coordinated and collaborative effort towards capacity building programmes for Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, and migrants in all sectors.
Other project drivers includes the Project Total Health, project Zero Hunger, project light up, project resettlement cities, These programs ensures the total reintegration, rehabilitation and resettlement of Persons of concern into society while ensuring durable and sustainable solutions and breeding self-reliance.
Nothing could be better than preparing the path of livelihood for these persons of concerns and this have been accomplished with the various training in various skills including cap knitting, tailoring, shoe making, hair dressing, make-up and cosmetology, barbing, carpentry, web and graphics design, welding, art painting, Tiling among others with starter packs given to all the beneficiaries at the event.
As 2022 climaxes, more is expected from the Federal Commissioner and her team of dedicated workforce in the New Year as President Muhammadu Buhari would take a bow after the constitutionally allowed two terms tenure.
Jonathan Eze is the Publisher of OurTimesng.com news website and a public affairs analyst.
