Homeland Response to Refugee Crisis in Nigeria; An Initiative Worth Encouraging

As more Southern Cameroonians/Ambazonians, move into Nigeria for refuge, and safety from the genocidal expedition of colonial forces of La Republique du Cameroun (LRC) in Ambazonia, there is a rising need for more resources to assist the people. Apart from the humanitarian support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the interim government of Ambazonia, Ambazonian Diaspora, the Nigerian government, especially the government of Cross River State, and some humanitarian groups in Nigeria, have been making good efforts to cater for the needs of these helpless citizens.

Of recent, a group of Ambazonian university lecturers and professors, based in South Eastern Nigeria, and lecture in Nigerian Universities; in collaboration with some other persons in the US, visited the refugees in Cross River State, with a good number of supplies. They came under the banner of Family Care Without Borders (FCWB) Foundation. According to one of the University lecturers who did not want to be named, they, are working in collaboration with some Ambazonians in the US, who want to remain apolitical in this revolutionary atmosphere. They decided to come up with the foundation to raise funds among themselves and from other persons who may wish to support the refugees, but may be afraid to do so through the revolutionary movements.

In a similar development, the governor of the Cross River State of Nigeria, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, last week supplied two trucks of food to Ambazonian refugees, through the head of the Cross River State Food Bank. Speaking while handing over the food stuffs to the refugees, the representative of the governor, said the government is of their plight and the circumstances leading to their displacement from their homes and villages, and are working to address the issues raised.

The Catholic Bishops of Kumba and Mamfe Dioceses, in Ambazonia had some weeks back also made available food and other relief support to the refugees through the visit of the Bishop of Mamfe to Nigeria.

Perhaps, the most encouraging act of home based solidarity, generosity and love to the refugees in Nigeria, has come from the people of Noi Visombo, in Jakiri, Bui County.

The people of Noi Visombo in Jakiri came together and contributed food, which they sent to their fellow Ambazonians in Nigeria.

The exercise, was Coordinated by the Rev. Sisters of Shisong Convent, who originate from Noi Visombo. The donations where largely done by group members of the different religious denominations in the community or village group.

This gesture by the people of Noi Vesombe, is worth emulating and encouraging, by any reasonable individual or community in Ambazonia. Communities that have enough to share, must therefore take this as a challenge to engage each other and make their own direct contributions to the well-being of the Ambalander in the refugee Camps across the borders with Ambazonians.

There are many ways to support the revolution and moved it forward. It could be through food supply to our brothers and sisters, financial donations and so one.

Through this massive show of support, Ambazonians are also passing a message to the international community that; love leads amongst Ambazonians and the people are ready to govern themselves in a free and independent country.

Agbor James, BaretaNews Political Analyst