By Paul James
into law, describing it as a landmark victory for the rights and dignity of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Speaking during a courtesy visit from a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Abuja, Kalu characterized the President’s action as a selfless demonstration of the face of humanity in leadership.
He noted that by domesticating this treaty, Nigeria has set a powerful precedent for other African nations to follow in addressing the welfare of displaced populations.
Hon. Kalu, who was the lead sponsor of the Act, emphasized that the focus now shifts toward effective implementation, including the domestication of the law at the state level to ensure its benefits reach the grassroots.
He urged government agencies to reflect the needs of IDPs in their budgetary allocations, moving beyond mere policy to impact-driven action.
The Deputy Speaker also expressed gratitude to the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, for his pivotal role in the legislative journey, asserting that the new law provides a robust legal framework to protect vulnerable citizens who have been uprooted by conflict or disaster.
Beyond providing immediate relief, the Deputy Speaker maintained that the ultimate goal of the legislation is to facilitate the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
He stressed that the government is committed to ending the underlying challenges that lead to displacement to prevent the emergence of multi-generational IDP camps.
The leader of the ICRC delegation, Doris El Doueihy, echoed these sentiments, congratulating Nigeria for taking a leading role in Africa by institutionalizing the Kampala Convention, a move she believes will serve as a global model for managing internal displacement crises.