Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the firm resolve of the President Bola Tinubu administration to address humanitarian situations across Nigeria. 

Shettima said the administration will continue to engage more with critical stakeholders, including development partners, in tackling grey areas in humanitarian responses across the country.

He made the pledge on Tuesday when he played host to a delegation from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nigeria, led by Ms Doris El Doueihy, at State House, Abuja.

The vice president said Nigeria, under the leadership of Tinubu, will continue to nurture existing relationships with key stakeholders, like ICRC, stressing, “It is only when we continue engaging with organisations like the Red Cross that we can address some of the grey areas in our humanitarian responses across the country.”

Shettima lauded ICRC for its professionalism and commitment to the ideals of a peaceful and just society, especially in areas plagued by armed conflict and related vices. 

He welcomed the proposal to establish a national mechanism for humanitarian response, particularly, in managing the plight of victims of armed conflict, stating that the federal government is willing to collaborate with the ICRC to establish and operationalise the framework for Nigeria.

While thanking the delegation for the visit, the vice president assured that Nigeria’s security forces, which he described as one of the most professional in the world, will continue to operate in tandem with international guidelines and standards.

Earlier, Ms El Doueihy commended Nigeria for domesticating the Kampala Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, describing the country as a leader and model for emulation across Africa and beyond.

She said the visit to the presidency was in acknowledgement and affirmation of the organisation’s healthy diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which had blossomed over the years of its operations in the country. 

El Doueihy said ICRC was proud to associate with Nigeria as a leader in the continent and a partner with the country in advancing the cause of humanitarian support across conflict zones in the areas of health, water, and training of security personnel, among others. 

Deji Elumoye