NCFRMI/UNHCR and Task of managing Refugees in Nigeria
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By Agidike Abdul Onu
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) was originally established as National Commission for Refugees by Decree 52 of 1989, now Cap. 21, Laws of the Federation, 2004. This was in fulfilment of the Federal Government’s obligation under Resolution 319(IV) of the General Assembly of the United Nations and Article 35 of the United Nations 1951 Convention.
Article 1a(2) of the 1951 Convention describes the term “refugee” as any person who as a result of events occurring and owing to well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or owing to such fear is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country: or who not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.