The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has commended the RABAT PROCESS for assisting Nigeria in the management of migration challenges in the country.
The Minister gave the commendation when he received in audience the delegation from RABAT PROCESS Secretariat for 2025-2026 led by the Head, Pan-African Initiative, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Monica Zanette, in his office in Abuja.
He appreciated the efforts of RABAT PROCESS for supporting the country in the area of reinforcement and strengthening the capacity of Nigerians.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is concerned about the migration issues in the country and the RABAT PROCESS will be an amplifying voice for Nigeria and a tool to use on the African continent on migration issues.
“RABAT PROCESS has done a lot in the country and the Federal government is ready to partner with the organization to reinforce the opportunities of building capacity and enhancing policies for the benefits of Nigerian citizens,” he said.
Prof. Yilwatda said Legal Nigerian Migrants are doing well in several areas such as sports, economy, health and the education sector and are contributing a lot across the globe.
He encouraged the youths to be global citizens and contribute to global economies.
Earlier, the Honourable Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Tijani Aliyu Ahmed represented by the Director Migration.
Ambassador Catherine Udida, stated that RABAT PROCESS is made up of 57 countries. Nigeria became a member in 2006 and a member of the Steering Committee in 2023. She explained that member countries host RABAT PROCESS every year. Last year was Morocco, this year is Portugal and next year Nigeria will assume the Chairmanship of the organization. Already the country has set up ambitious programmes which include youths and inclusiveness aimed at addressing the JAPA Syndrome, Amb. Udida stated.
The leader of the RABAT PROCESS Team, Monica Zanette, said the delegation was in the Ministry on a preparatory mission to set the Nigerian Chairmanship of the RABAT PROCESS 2025-2026. She disclosed that the handing over ceremony of the RABAT PROCESS will hold in Porto, Portugal January 2025 and pledged the Secretariat support towards the success of the event.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Abel Enitan, Director Humanitarian Affairs Ezulu Valentine, Director Information and Public Relations of the Ministry Rhoda Iliya, Special Assistant to the Minister and other members of the RABAT PROCESS.
Signed
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Director Information and Public Relations