Nigerian ace musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2baba has been appointed as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador.
The ‘African Queen’ crooner shared the news on his verified twitter handle on Tuesday stating, ” honoured and humbled by my appointment as regional goodwill ambassador of UNHCR. Thanks for the recognition.”
Honoured and humbled by my appointment as regional goodwill ambassador of UNHCR. Thanks for the recognition. Honoured and humbled by my appointment as regional goodwill ambassador of UNHCR. Thanks for the recognition.#WARRIORS #GRATEFUL #ONELOVERELIGION@refugees pic.twitter.com/NLKPBkZden
— #ONELOVERELIGION #UNWASHTHEBRAINWASH #OPENYOUREYES (@official2baba) June 23, 2020
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees also on its handle verified the news.
🙏 He met displaced people families to hear their stories
🎤 He wrote & recorded a song to raise funds for refugees
🇳🇬 He is the first Nigerian to be appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
Welcome to the family, Afropop music legend @official2baba! 👏 https://t.co/90N64Y5jRq pic.twitter.com/1eepay8BG6
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) June 23, 2020
On its website, the UNHCR acknowledged 2Baba’s commitment and devotion to the welfare of refugees and internally displaced persons, while exuding optimism that he will continue in the path.
“For the past three years, 2Baba has been a committed High-Level Supporter of UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu campaign – a pan-African movement of people from all walks of life investing in a better future for forcibly displaced people across the continent. In this role, he has dedicated his time to uplift the narrative of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in Africa. In 2017, 2Baba visited IDP camps in north-eastern Nigeria’s Borno state.
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“These families shared heart-breaking stories of watching loved ones being kidnapped or killed, forced to flee the comfort of their homes and leave everything they knew behind. I saw how they struggled to access basic things that we take for granted – like food, water, education and healthcare,” said 2Baba. “I witnessed UNHCR’s work firsthand during my visits and commend the organization for being on the frontlines, providing emergency relief and support to forcibly displaced families. I believe in this organization and I’m proud to be associated with UNHCR.”
2Baba is the first Nigerian to be appointed as the agency’s Goodwill Ambassador.
According to the United Nations Human Rights Council, over 30 million children have been forced to flee their homes and 79.5 million people are currently displaced globally.
The agency disclosed this on Saturday on the occasion of this year’s World Refugee Day with the theme, “Every Action Counts”.
There are over 60,000 refugees living in Nigeria, it said, adding that the agency will continue to take actions to ensure the education, shelter, livelihood, and wellbeing of displaced persons.
Yetunde Adegoke
