History will be kind to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rewarding loyalty, hard work and patriotism in the choice of Honourable Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim fsi CIPD MSPSP, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) and until her new appointment, served as the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
Sulaiman-Ibrahim has been a silent reformer, a diligent administrator and a firm believer in the Nigerian project. Hon Imaan is people-driven. She likes to listen to people and proffer solutions and solve problems. As a Sociologist, she views people differently and judge people from their angle of strength and not their weaknesses. That’s why no matter what you do to her, she always looks at one good thing you’ve done for her and never forgets it. She nurtures and builds relationships for life.
Whichever ministry she is assigned to superintend, Honourable Imaan will transform it. The President, his wife, the First Lady and Nigerians would be proud of the work rate of the minister nominee.
With a solid background in Human resources management, Imaan-Sulaiman has carved a niche for herself in service deliverables and other indices of leadership.
At NAPTIP, Imaan Sulaiman was proactive. She quickly settled in and realized that her duties as DG was to ensure preventive measures, so she embarked on a lot of youth-driven disruptive programmes that were driven by excellence. She was impactful and well calculated. She partnered with iCreate to train the youths, empower them and then mentor them through the initial phase of their businesses.
Prior to her assumption of Office as DG, the Agency operated Three (3) Regional Directorates in North, South West and South-South. But, for better efficiency, she expanded its coverage to Six (6) Regional Directorates, with each Headed by a Regional Director and an Assistant Regional Director. Also, during her brief stint with the agency, she investigated 383 cases, arrested 264 suspects, rescued 429 victims and convicted 21, among other achievements.
She contributed immensely to the plights of trafficked persons and strengthened the National response to addressing Irregular Migration.
At the commission for refugees and internally displaced persons, Hon Imaan has exceeded expectations and has successfully implemented the necessary policy frameworks that have stabilized the commission.
As the Frontline Humanitarian Federal Government Agency saddled with the responsibilities to provide protection and support for Persons of Concern (IDPs, migrants, Refugees, Stateless Persons and Returnees), the Commission made progress and has also strengthened national response to Persons of Concern in so many areas
She strengthened the commission’s Internal Structure upon her resumption on the 4th June, 2021, and ensured a well-structured organization, a motivated workforce that was achieved through training of staff among others.
One of her favourite programmes is the Project Educate ALL. The Project Educate All’ with the theme ‘Readers are Leaders’ was 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 this phase of the project is complemented the transitional learning centres that has further enhanced the reading and fast-track learning for pupils in camps and host communities.
Hon Sulaiman Ibrahim believes that All children, regardless of their background, situation and ability should have access to quality education. She believes that promoting Classroom libraries in IDP camps and all primary schools will bring back the culture of reading. The Project Educate All complements Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals rather nicely.
During one of the launch, she said; we are keen to see the average Nigerian child of school age, through this project, become willing and able to actually access the right learning materials, and undertake a minimum investment of 20 minutes per day in self-selected and independent. I sincerely hope that these bookshelves will be implemented in all IDPs and every community across Nigeria. It is good to know that these books are NERDC approved, age appropriate and curriculum-based picture books targeting first readers. It not only supports the academic growth, but also provides a setting that encourages and supports speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a variety of authentic ways.
The project Educate all initiative is a stop-gap solution in a situation where a large proportion of young people have never experienced the joys of a library. She appealed to both the private and public sector to join the laudable project.
“We have to start from the basic levels by ensuring the future of Education begins from the foundational level and also ensuring that the teachers are also trained to improve this reading culture. We must all help to make our children be the best they can be. This requires community effort, from the children, to the teachers and the parents as well. Let’s get every child reading.”
Yet another appealing programme she introduced was The Project Zero Hunger: This is an initiative aimed at bringing immediate relief to vulnerable Persons of Concern and their families facing food insecurity. It incorporates a Whole of Society approach to providing assistance and support to PoCs. The Project is also developed to help streamline and enhance the accessibility, distribution and availability of mainly food and non-food items thereby eliminating waste and duplication of efforts. The Pilot phase was in collaboration with DEPOWA and Nigerian Army. The Commission launched and piloted the initiative in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Wase in Plateau, Ikorodu in Lagos and Borno States and other states.
The commission’s Project Skill up is an initiative designed to give Persons of Concern requisite skills in ICT, creative arts, handworks such as carpentry, masonry etc. The Commission partnered with iCreate Revolution Africa Limited in the implementation of the training programmes. After receiving the necessary skills, participants were given starter packs to launch their business.
Honourable Imaan has demonstrated a knack and zest for service, and her inclusion as a member of the Federal Executive Council is a plus.
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