Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that, the internally displaced persons and other vulnerable Nigerians have access to essential government services, declaring that, no Nigerian should be left behind because of where they live or the circumstances that forced them to flee. This was contained in a statement signed by Janet McDickson Noah, Director, Information and Public Relations.
The Minister stated this on Wednesday at the launch and formal handover of ten Mobile One-Stop Shop vehicles to participating state governments, held at the United Nations House, Abuja, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with support from the Government of Germany.
Dr. Doro described the initiative as a practical intervention designed to address barriers preventing vulnerable populations from accessing essential services, stressing that, government must take services closer to people who cannot easily reach them. He explained that the mobile units would provide access to birth registration, National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment, SIM registration, Bank Verification Number (BVN), bank account opening and enrolment into the National Social Register.
According to him, the initiative reflects the Ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System, which seeks to move Nigerians from palliatives to pathways by connecting vulnerable populations to identity documentation, financial inclusion and social protection opportunities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Minister emphasised that, identity documentation is fundamental to social and economic inclusion, noting that, individuals who cannot be identified or registered are often excluded from essential government interventions.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany, through its Embassy in Nigeria, for the generous support that made the provision of the ten Mobile One-Stop Shop vehicles possible. He described the intervention as a practical demonstration of international solidarity and a significant investment in improving access to essential services for displaced persons and vulnerable communities. He particularly acknowledged Germany’s continued partnership in supporting Nigeria’s humanitarian response, noting that the contribution would help take critical services closer to people who need them most.
Dr. Doro also commended UNHCR for its sustained commitment to displaced persons in Nigeria and charged the ten beneficiary states to ensure that the vehicles remain operational, properly maintained and consistently deployed to reach displaced communities, remote settlements and vulnerable households. He expressed optimism that the initiative would eventually expand beyond the initial ten states to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, described the handover as an important step towards addressing the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities in accessing civil documentation, identity-related services and other essential public services. He particularly acknowledged UNHCR and the Government of Germany for their invaluable partnership, while urging participating states to ensure effective deployment, maintenance and security of the vehicles.
In his remarks, the German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Mr. Stefan Rößel, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to its partnership with Nigeria and support for initiatives that strengthen humanitarian response and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
The Interim United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms. Vanessa Pala, underscored the importance of continued collaboration between the Federal Government, UN agencies and development partners in ensuring that displaced persons and vulnerable communities are not excluded from essential services. She noted the importance of coordinated service delivery in strengthening access to documentation, financial inclusion and social protection.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the vehicle keys by the German Ambassador, His Excellency Stefan Rößel, to the HON. Minister, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, who subsequently handed them over to the participating state governments through the Dean of the Forum of Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs of the 36 states and the FCT, Dr. Helen Isamoh, who is also the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.
Dr. Isamoh, while appreciating the Federal Government, UNHCR and the Government of Germany for the intervention, described the initiative as significant support for state-level humanitarian service delivery. She expressed the hope that the programme would eventually be extended to cover all 36 states and the FCT, ensuring that more displaced persons and vulnerable communities benefit.
The initiative underscores the importance of bringing government services closer to underserved populations, reducing barriers to documentation, strengthening financial inclusion and improving access to social protection.
The event was attended by the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Arjun Jain; the Dean of the Forum of Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Helen Isamoh; Honourable Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs from participating states; Directors and representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies; heads of UN agencies; representatives of development partners and other stakeholders.
Bringing Services Closer. Leaving No One Behind.
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