President Muhammadu Buhari has named a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country.
According to a statement by Femi Adesina, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, the committee is chaired by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, while the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Mungono (retd.), is the co-chairman.
Other members are, Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; ministers of Defence, Interior, Justice; minister of State Budget and Planning; Chief of Defence Staff; Chief of Army Staff; Chief of Naval Staff; Chief of Air Staff; and the Inspector General of Police.
The list also includes the Governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states; Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service; United Nations Resident Coordinator; Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD (Secretariat); Chairman, Non-Governmental Organization Forum; and any other nominated by Chairman of the Committee.
Adesina noted that, “The committee will, among others, provide a national vision for humanitarian actions, advise on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors, settle disputes that may arise from interactions between security services and the humanitarian community.
“Other functions include, propose policies that enhance coordination and seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities, facilitate delivery of humanitarian interventions to vulnerable persons, and promote transparency and accountability in all aspects of humanitarian delivery in the country.”
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, he said, would inaugurate the committee at a later date.
