Campus News

Egbewole calls for stronger support for refugees

By Bashir Dawodu

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has called for increased support for refugees, emphasising the need to assist them in rebuilding their lives and also confront the root causes of displacement.

Prof. Egbewole made this appeal penultimate Friday, (June 20, 2025) while speaking at the 2025 World Refugee Day, organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; the Nigerian Red Cross Society; the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency; and the National Orientation Agency, Kwara State, at the University’s Auditorium Basement.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukhtar Etudaiye, noted that about 110 million people around the world have been forcefully displaced due to crises ranging from armed conflicts to natural disasters.

The renowned legal luminary pointed out that Nigeria alone is home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly in the northern region, while also sheltering refugees from neighbouring countries.

Prof. Egbewole urged security agencies to intensify efforts at curbing insurgency and creating a safer environment where citizens can live without fear.

“The role of the community in supporting and empowering refugees cannot be overemphasised,” he stated, adding that collective responsibility is key to ensuring that displaced persons can lead normal, dignified lives.

In his welcome address, the Director of CPSS, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Jawondo, highlighted the numerous challenges refugees face in their host communities, including language barriers, cultural differences, and social discrimination.

            These difficulties, he said, often leave them feeling isolated and demoralised.

Prof. Jawondo encouraged community leaders, faith-based organisations, schools, and local influencers to play active roles in reshaping public attitudes toward refugees.

“Showing love and acceptance not only restores dignity but also lays the foundation for new beginnings,” Prof. Jawondo said.

On his part, the Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Dare Abdulganiyu, charged all stakeholders to always join hands in advocating the protection of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP’s) to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are also recognised and upheld.

“Refugee crisis is not all about humanitarian aid, but also creating sustainable peace and solution to displacement “, he said.

Alhaji Abdulganiyu said that the National Orientation Agency would continue to empower communities by providing them with knowledge and tools needed to assist refugees and internally displaced people.

He noted that the NOA is partnering with various agencies, including the Kwara State Ministry of Environment, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the National Commission for Refugees, to provide essential services like food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

The Director of NOA commended the efforts of the University of Ilorin management team, especially the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), for joining hands with other stakeholders for the rights and privileges of refugees.

Also speaking at the event, the Focal Person for Platform Resilience at CPSS, Dr Ruth Abiola Adimula, stressed that refugee crisis cannot be managed by government alone.

She, therefore, called on individuals and communities at all levels to show compassion and collaborate with others towards creating a safe and welcoming environment for displaced persons.

In his remarks, the Oba of Agbeku, Alhaji AbdulAziz Adesina Agboola, said that the two main religions practiced in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity, place emphasis on comfortability for refugees.

The traditional ruler commended the efforts of the organising committee for bringing stakeholders together. He urged stakeholders to create a platform where all traditional rulers will meet to discuss how best refugees should be treated.

Representatives of the military and paramilitary agencies at the event pledged to continue to support refugees’ welfare as they also pledged to contribute to offer other long-term solutions.

            Dignitaries present at the event included, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, ( Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, the University Librarian, Prof. Tunde Omopupa; as well as Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments, among others.