By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria- June 20, 2026 (Series News Online) -The Kebbi State chapter of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, have urged journalists and media consumers to adopt compassionate reporting as the world marks World Refugee Day 2026.
The appeal was made on Saturday, June 20, 2026, during a media dialogue held at Gwandu Emir Palace Hall, Birnin Kebbi. The event was organized to commemorate the 2026 global theme, “Until Everyone Is Safe”.
The State Director of NOA, Kebbi State, Muhammad Nasir Karofi told participants that the day underscores the universal right to protection.
“Every year on June 20th, the global community stops to reflect on the lives of millions of people who did not choose to leave their homes, but were forced to flee by circumstances far beyond their control. Today, as we mark World Refugee Day 2026 under the global banner ‘Until Everyone Is Safe,’ we are reminded that safety is not a luxury or a privilege reserved for a few. Safety is a fundamental human right,” the Director said.
He added that Kebbi’s reputation as “The Land of Equity” must be reflected in how displaced persons are treated.
“Here in Kebbi State, ‘The Land of Equity,’ equity must mean exactly what it says: fairness, shelter, and dignity for all individuals within our borders, whether they were born here or found sanctuary here,” he stated.
The Director explained that NOA’s mandate extends beyond distribution of relief materials to shaping public perception.
“The crisis of displacement is only half solved by physical aid. Food, tents, and medical supplies keep people alive today, but public perception, social integration, and community empathy keep them alive tomorrow. Our mandate at the NOA is to communicate, to orient, and to build cohesive communities,” he said.
He charged the press to avoid narratives that reinforce stigma and instead highlight resilience.
“Displaced persons are not statistics. They are teachers whose schools were bombed; farmers whose lands were overtaken; and children whose dreams were paused. We urge you to report their stories through the lens of human dignity. Avoid sensationalism that breeds division. Instead, amplify the stories of local communities in Kebbi State who have opened their arms to shelter their displaced brothers and sisters,” he said.
He also acknowledged institutional support.
“We are deeply grateful to the NCFRMI for their tireless, boots-on-the-ground efforts in managing migration and displacement data and welfare. We also heavily acknowledge the compassionate leadership of Her Excellency, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris. Her office’s consistent focus on women, vulnerable children, and many other humanitarian interventions continues to provide a vital safety net for displaced families across Kebbi State,” he said.
The Zonal Coordinator of NCFRMI, Armiya’u Shuaibu, said the Commission’s operations in Kebbi align with the 2026 theme and noted the state’s strategic border position.
“It is an honor to stand before you today on behalf of the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons as we co-host this critical Media Parlay alongside the National Orientation Agency. Every year, World Refugee Day serves as an international wake-up call. It is a day dedicated to honoring the courage, strength, and resilience of millions of people worldwide who have been uprooted by conflict, persecution, and environmental disasters. As we gather today in Birnin Kebbi for the 2026 commemoration, we align ourselves with the global community under a theme that carries immense moral weight: ‘Until Everyone Is Safe,’” the Coordinator said.
He noted that while voluntary repatriation programmes are yielding results, climate change and regional instability continue to create new displacement pressures.
“For the NCFRMI, this theme is not just a slogan; it is our daily operational mandate. We live in an era of complex migration realities. Right here in Nigeria, our data shows a dynamic shift. While we are actively succeeding in targeted, voluntary repatriation programs for displaced persons along our borders, we have simultaneously observed localized pressures from climate realities and regional instabilities that demand absolute alertness,” he explained.
“Kebbi State, with its unique geopolitical positioning and vast international borders, plays a pivotal role in this narrative. Whether managing cross-border migration, supporting victims of localized ecological challenges, or providing a haven for internally displaced persons, our commission is tasked with a profound duty: providing Care, Maintenance, and Durable Solutions,” he added.
Coordinator Shuaibu enumerated some of the achievements recorded by the Kebbi office to demonstrate progress in care and durable solutions.
“We have constructed residential units for IDPs at Sabon Garin Turaki in Argungu Local Government Area. We also renovated a school ‘Behind Oando’ in Birnin Kebbi with a modern library and solar power system,” he said.
“We have also established a skills acquisition center in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area and installed solar power at a Primary Health Center in Birnin Kebbi to improve service delivery,” he stated.
“Livelihood support has reached IDPs in Danko/Wasagu and Bagudo local government areas. We distributed over 7,000 each of rice, millet, beans, palm oil, groundnut oil, Maggi, and salt across the three senatorial zones of the state. Drugs have been distributed to Kebbi Central Senatorial Zone, while supplies for Kebbi North and South zones are underway,” he said.
“Tom Brown and Ready to Use Therapeutic Food will be distributed to malnourished vulnerable children any moment from now. Farming equipment will also be distributed to farming IDPs any moment from now,” he stated.
Coordinator Shuaibu stressed that physical protection must be complemented by social inclusion, and he called on both the keyker and the reader to reject misinformation.
“This is precisely why our partnership with the National Orientation Agency is so vital. The NOA shapes the mind, while the NCFRMI protects the body. To our friends in the media, you are the frontline defense against the invisible enemies of displaced persons: stigmatization, misinformation, and neglect,” he said.
“‘Until Everyone Is Safe’ means that a mother fleeing conflict across the border or a displaced farmer from a local government area within the state must feel secure enough to access healthcare, put their children in school, and contribute to the local economy without fear of harassment. Your reports must highlight the human face behind the displacement. Show their vulnerabilities, yes, but more importantly, show their resourcefulness and their potential to enrich our communities,” he urged.
“We extend our deep gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, for fostering an administrative environment that prioritizes peace and security. In a special way, we commend the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris. Her Excellency’s profound humanitarian drives, especially her targeted interventions for vulnerable women and children, directly mirror the core objectives of the NCFRMI,” he said.