The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the ongoing evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan, which has been embroiled in a war. The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, has announced that the House would invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to discuss the status of evacuation efforts. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) will also be present at the meeting.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to the entrapment of many Nigerians living in the country, including students, business people, and other professionals. In his welcome address on resumption from the Easter and Ramadan recess, Gbajabiamila expressed his concern over the inter-agency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.
The House is aware of ongoing difficulties with the evacuation efforts and the federal government’s response to the developments in Sudan. Gbajabiamila noted that some of these difficulties were caused by inter-agency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.
The Speaker emphasized that the welfare and well-being of fellow citizens caught in this war is the House’s priority, and the statutory and other frameworks must be revisited to ensure the country is prepared to respond promptly and effectively. He urged everyone to keep in mind that in war, everybody loses, and in peace, everybody can win. All personal, partisan, and sectional interests must succumb to the overarching and overriding interest of ensuring the unity and stability of Nigeria.
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and other stakeholders to give an account of the status of evacuation efforts. The House is committed to ensuring the safe return of Nigerians from Sudan and will work with all relevant agencies to make it happen.
