Operation Safe Corridor: IOM Pledges Sustainable Partnership With Nigeria

Operation Safe Corridor: IOM Pledges Sustainable Partnership With Nigeria

The Director of Emergency Operations, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Geneva, Mr Jeffrey Labovitz has pledged the organization’s commitment in sustaining the partnership on the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) led Operation SAFE CORRIDOR (OPSC) in order to continue to achieve it’s mandate of De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) of low risk repented Boko Haram ex-fighters.

The IOM Director stated this recently in Abuja while on a courtesy visit to DHQ where he expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and particularly the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for the strategic partnership that has been in existence for four years.

According to him, “the areas of collaboration that would be sustained are the already established advisory and humanitarian support to the DRR programme, including human capacity and infrastructural support.

He further added that IOM and UNICEF are the 2 United Nations agencies that are among the numerous international humanitarian organizations that are partnering with OPSC in its DRR process.

Mr Labovitz lauded the efforts of the leadership of the AFN for creating a model of cooperation by partnering with international humanitarian organizations and other critical stakeholders towards addressing the insurgency in the country, stressing that Nigeria has demonstrated true leadership.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin while welcoming the IOM Director and members of his team, expressed delight that the organization has continued to show interest and support towards adding more value to the ongoing DRR project.

The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP), Air Vice Marshal Charles Oghomwen, stated that any sincere strategic partnership from both local and international humanitarian organizations will further enhance the OPSC in its DRR programme, describing it as a modest venture.

Present during the visit were the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabar, DHQ Director Policy and Plans, Major General Johnson Olawumi and the Coordinator of OPSC, Major General Bamidele Shafa.