Mr Francis Origa, the registrar of the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSD), has called on all agencies involved in disaster management to expedite their response to humanitarian affairs.
Origa made the call on tuesday in Abuja while commemorating the 2025 World Humanitarian Day, a date set aside to pay tribute to aid workers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
The registrar’s message serves as a reminder to government and aid agencies to improve their life-saving support and protection for people in need, honouring the sacrifices of humanitarian workers around the world.
The Day highlights the importance, effectiveness, and positive impact of humanitarian work.
The registrar urged the agencies saddled with the responsibility of coordinating humanitarian efforts to support those doing various humanitarian activities in the country.
Origa acknowledged that agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have played critical roles in responding to disasters like floods and fires disaster.
He, however, emphasised that the government’s efforts have been insufficient, particularly in addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and hunger.
Origa while speaking on poverty, hunger, and insecurity, said the high rate of young persons leaving higher institutions every year, with limited job opportunities could become a security threat to society.
He called for a paradigm shift from traditional security approaches to a human-centered approach, focusing on food security, education, health, and poverty reduction.
He said indigenous foundations like the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation and Tony Elumelu Foundation supported young entrepreneurs
He called on leaders, including former heads of state and captains of industry, to deepen their humanitarian strategies and support various causes.
According to him, the only thing we can talk about is to motivate these individuals and call them to action, including former heads of states.
He said the lack of funding has led many NGOs becoming inactive or going into comatose.
“Bill Clinton also has a foundation where he gives support to humanitarian issues and activities, particularly in Africa.
“So, if we can have more of these leaders that have occupied public positions from being President to Governor, how many of them are setting up foundations to address vulnerable issues around their immediate constituencies?
“This is even a clarion call for these individual leaders, captains of industries, to deepen their own humanitarian strategies and approach to supporting various humanitarian causes,” he said.
According to him, UNICEF has raised concerns about a N240 billion shortfall for Nigeria’s humanitarian aid projects, which threatens vital health, nutrition, education, and water services.
“However, the Federal Government has pledged to support humanitarian efforts, including providing interest-free loans to smallholder farmers and conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households,” he said.
