The Cameroonian refugees have joined their counterparts throughout the world to mark the 2018 World Refugees Day.
The refugees in their numbers thronged the ultra modern Ikom township stadium in Cross River State in joyful moods tthanking God for making possible for them to be alive to witness the event.
The Ikom township stadium in the central senatorial districts of Cross-River state, was filled with dignitaries from all walks of life to celebrate with the refugess who are seeking refuge in parts of the state.
It would be recalled the over 100000 refugees fled their homes, following the political crisis between the Cameroon authorities and the separatists movement of South-West Cameroon, comprising the Anglo-phone or English speaking Cameroon.
The event, which was organised by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, is an annual event that provides time for people to show solidarity with the refugees following their displacement.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Commssioner National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Ayasanya Akitunde, said millions of people were displaced from their country due to conflicts and other factors.
He said Nigeria is playing host to about twenty-one thousands refugees from neighbouring Cameroon Republic and expressed the hope that the crisis will be resolved timely to enable the refugees return home.
He thereforeg urged their host communities to continue to give them support in the spirit of humanity.
The UNHCR field officer, Muhammed Nasry, said the agency is doing everthing within its powers to provide succour for the refugees, migrants and asylum seekers,
He said the World Refugee Day is a time to cognize the humanity of refugees and called for positive actions from stakeholders that can alleviate the plight of the refugees.
According to him, “getting laws and policies, right is vital, but it is local people that are on the frontline when refugees arrive and whose welcome makes the difference between rejection and inclusion, between despair and hope and between being left behind and building a future”.
Other speakers at the event including the head of ikom Local Government administration, HOLGA, Mr. Julius Adie, the divivsional immigration officer, DIO, Amor Austine, the judge of the high court, Justice Obojor Ogar, told the refugees to be law abiding and to fill free to explore all available channels of communication to register their complanits and assured the Cameroonian refugees of adequate security and protection.
The refugees in a presenatation by Tabe Karim, urged the United Nations to step in fully to resolve the problem in Cameroon to enable return home and continue normal lives.
The event featured a novelty football match between the refugees and the host commuinty, solidarity messages among others.
