…………Prof. Yilwatda Calls For A Bridge Between Policy And Practice To Address Humanitarian Issues In Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has called for a bridge between policy and practice for a resilient Humanitarian future in the country.
The Minister made the call during the opening session of the two-day Humanitarian Round Table organized by the Ministry to develop a holistic approach to Humanitarian coordination framework, held in Abuja.
He said “the world requires a bold innovation, resilience and a relentless commitment to bridging the gap between policy and the lived realities of those we serve.
“Policies alone do not feed the hungry, shelter the displaced or restore dignity to the vulnerable but action does. Today we reaffirm our shared duty to transform policies into practical, life changing solutions.
“The disconnect between policy and practice is not just a bureaucratic issue, it is a Humanitarian crises. Every delay in decision making, every inefficiency in coordination and every short fall in funding cost lives. If we are to create real impact, we must rethink how we operate not as isolated actors but as a collective force for meaningful change”.
The Minister said it is time to move from rigid mandates to dynamic responsive frameworks that evolve with the needs of those we serve.
He said real impact requires collective action, no single entity, government, NGO, development/humanitarian partners or international agency can do this alone. Our strength lives in collaboration, coordination and shared responsibilities.
According to him, this can be achieved through harnessing real- time data and digital innovation, bridging policy makers and frontline practitioners as well as innovative and adaptive Humanitarian financing.
He commended the United Nations System for building durable solutions, empowering communities, empowering internally displaced persons and building social cohesion among communities.
The Honourable Minister of State of the Ministry, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu in his speech said over the years, Nigeria has been challenged by many Humanitarian crises ranging from insurgency in the North East, banditry, kidnapping , communal clashes and climate change which have led to displacements.
“It is the reason that the Humanitarian round table was organised to discuss and chart a Plan that is more strategic and resilient to tackling Nigerian Humanitarian crises.
“This strategy must be effective in our Humanitarian Response, critical to offer assistance to vulnerable persons.
“This must be inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President in ensuring food security, ending Poverty, economic growth and job creation as well as access to capital for our people and improving security. We require strong collaboration because the Ministry cannot do it alone.
He encouraged participants to share insights from their diverse experiences. “Let us focus on strengthening partnerships across international, national and local levels to achieve seamless Humanitarian responses, let’s achieve a life of dignity for the affected population and ensure the document our footprints to integrate the lessons into our future engagements.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall observed that the world is witnessing a shift in Humanitarian development financing. “Over the years, we have seen Reduction in Humanitarian financing. It is time to think creatively about alternative financing. We must focus on new way of generating funds for Humanitarian development and peace initiative including closer cooperation with the private sector, international financial institutions and great reliance on internally generated revenue among other options.
“We must focus on cost effectiveness on our programming which includes concerted efforts towards localisation and leveraging on modern technology advancement in our business model.
He commended Nigeria for proactively responding to the global shift in financing development Humanitarian assistance by looking inward to providing funding to key initiative in Nigeria.
He said the UN remains committed to supporting Nigeria as it transits to the era of Humanitarian development and peace efforts in financing.
Dignitaries at the event include the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Directors of the Ministry, Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, , Representative of Security agencies, CEO of Agencies, UN Agencies, Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Special Assistant to the Vice President on Humanitarian Affairs , Development Partners and Donors , NGOs, CSOs, State Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs, among others.
Signed
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Director Information and Public Relations
