馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路2 hours ago
Babatunde Fashola urges Nigerians to prioritize peace and support refugees
Babatunde Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos State, has called on Nigerians to support refugees and prevent displacement, emphasizing the growing burden of internally displaced persons. Speaking at an event organized by the African Refugees Foundation for World Refugee Day, Fashola stressed the importance of preventing circumstances that lead to displacement. He highlighted patience and peaceful conflict resolution as critical in averting crises and noted that natural disasters also contribute to displacement, underscoring the need for environmental responsibility. Fashola shared a personal experience, stating that his perception of refugees changed after meeting displaced professionals, which made him realize the chain reactions of choosing conflict over peace. Olujimi Olusola, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Refugees Foundation, announced plans to distribute food to approximately 10,000 refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable individuals in Lagos and other states. The initiative, which started in Surulere, also included free health checks and counseling. Olusola added that the foundation aims to provide economic skills to beneficiaries, subject to resource availability, and raise awareness about the plight of displaced persons. Lai Oriowo of Odu鈥檃 Investment Company, representing Chairman Bimbo Ashiru, stated that supporting refugees is a service to humanity and that preventing conflict is crucial for peaceful coexistence.